Biomechanical metrics of aesthetic perception in dance

Perception of dance is discernment of reoccurring shapes and patterns. These, in turn are based on numerical relationships that are expressions of space and time. In movement, biomechanical mathematics describe kinematics & kinetics. We ask, is there a biomechanical metric that relates to our aesthetic perception of dance? Of the metrics examined, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) best captured differences due to group and condition. PCA also provided the most parsimonious model to explain aesthetic proficiency. By permitting organization of large data sets into simpler groupings, PCA may mirror chunking phenomenon where the brain combines sensory motor elements into integrated behavioral units. Perhaps reduction of redundant information to simplistic dimensionality is related to aesthetic perception.