109
Carolina Cabral de Mello Viero, M.S., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências
da Reabilitação, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
(UFCSPA), Brazil. Luíza Pillar Kessler, P.T., and Camila Pinto, P.T., Departamento
de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
(UFCSPA), Brazil. Kaanda Nabilla Souza Gontijo, M.S., and Rodrigo Gomes da
Rosa, M.S., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências do Movimento Humano,
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. Ana Kleiner, P.T.,
Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano,
20133 Milano, Lombardia, Italy. Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga, Ph.D.,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências do Movimento Humano, Universidade
Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), and Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia
e Dança, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre (UFRGS),
Brazil. Alexandre Severo do Pinho, M.S., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências
da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA),
and Bolsista de desenvolvimento técnico e industrial da Fundação de Amparo à
Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil. Aline de Souza Pagnussat,
Ph.D., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Universidade
Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Programa de Pós-
Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de
Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), and Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal
de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil.
Correspondence: Aline de Souza Pagnussat, Ph.D., Department of Physical
erapy, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA,
245 Sarmento Leite Street, 90050-170 - Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; alinespagnussat@
gmail.com.
Copyright © 2017 J. Michael Ryan Publishing, Inc.
hps://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313X.21.3.109
Abstract
e purpose of this study was to evaluate
the midfoot longitudinal arch height and
correlate it with active hip external rota-
tion (ER) in dancers during static postures
and technical steps of classical ballet (i.e.,
first position, demi-plié, battement fondu
à la seconde, pas jeté à la seconde, and
grand jeté à la seconde). A 3D motion
analysis system was used for kinematic
analysis. e arch height was significantly
reduced during the battement fondu à la
seconde, pas jeté à la seconde, and grand
jeté à la seconde when compared to
standing (p = 0.000 for all comparisons),
first position (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and
p = 0.001, respectively) and demi-plié
(p = 0.015, p = 0.003, and p = 0.006,
respectively). No significant correlation
was found between arch height and active
hip external rotation (p > 0.05). Hence,
active hip external rotation does not seem
to be related to midfoot pronation in this
sample. Other factors, such as intrinsic
and extrinsic foot muscle strength, may
be related to the midfoot arch height.
These findings contribute to a better
understanding of ballet steps, but future
studies are required to clarify this topic
completely.
A
successful career in classical
ballet demands strength and
flexibility from the dancer.
The classical ballet technique is a
traditional and formal style in which
maintaining the “en dehor” is an
important part. En dehor is the term
used to describe the outward rotation
of both legs with an angle of 180° be-
tween the medial borders of the feet.
is position allows dancers to reach
a greater leg range of motion (ROM)
while performing technical steps.
1,2
e en dehor is the foundation
for most ballet steps, including first
position, demi-plié, battement fondu
à la seconde, pas jeté à la seconde, and
grand jeté à la seconde. Hip external
rotation (ER) is considered the major
contributor to achieving the en dehor,
and it is the result of muscle strength,
soft tissue extensibility, and skeletal
anatomy.
3-6
ese factors are related to
the duration of classical ballet training
and involve such aspects as frequency,
intensity, and correct execution of
the technique.
3-5
Many dancers with
insufficient hip ER attempt to increase
en dehor by obtaining additional
movement at other joints. A technique
commonly used for compensation is
to place the feet in 180° with the hips
and knees flexed and then force the
hips and knees into extension without
moving the feet. is technique is
known in balletic circles as “screwing
the knee.” e resulting compensatory
movements that occur at joints other
than the hip may lead to acute and
Height of the Medial Longitudinal Arch During
Classical Ballet Steps
Carolina Cabral de Mello Viero, M.S., Luíza Pillar Kessler, P.T., Camila Pinto, P.T.,
Kaanda Nabilla Souza Gontijo, M.S., Rodrigo Gomes da Rosa, M.S., Ana Kleiner, Ph.D.,
Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga, Ph.D., Alexandre Severo do Pinho, M.S., and
Aline de Souza Pagnussat, Ph.D.