Sagittal knee kinematics during Flamenco Dancing - preliminary studies Forczek W. 1 , Vargas-Macías A. 2,3 1 Department of Biomechanics, University of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland 2 Telethusa Flamenco Research Centre, Cádiz, Spain 3 Performing Arts Research Group, San Antonio Catholic University, Murcia, Spain References 1. Bejjani F.J. et al. Musculoskeletal demands on flamenco dancers: a clinical and biomechanical study. Foot Ankle 1988; 8(5): 254–263. 2. Castillo-López J.M. et al. Metatarsal Pain and Plantar Hyperkeratosis in the Forefeet of Female Professional Flamenco Dancers. Med Probl Perform Art 2014; 29(4): 193–197. 3. Echegoyen S. et. al. Zapateado technique as an injury risk in Mexican folkloric and Spanish dance. Med Probl Perform Art 2013; 28(2): 80–83. 4. Vargas A. El baile flamenco: estudio descriptivo, biomecánico y condición física [thesis]. Cádiz, Spain, University of Cádiz, 2006. 6. Voloshin A.S. et al. Dynamic loading on flamenco dancers: a biomechanical study. Hum Movement Sci 1989; 8: 503–513. Acknowledgements we would like to thank the La Pasión Dance School in Krakow, Dance Professional Conservatory of Cádiz, Dance Professional Conservatory of Seville and Dance Professional Conservatory of Murcia. Results Analysis of the results showed that during Zap-3 Test an average number of steps was 127.09±18.08, accomplished at a frequency of 8.47±1.21 steps per second. As to the angular displacement of the knee during step test was 144.71±8.20º. Introduction Flamenco is a very demanding Spanish dance technique. Zapateado is a repetitive percussive footwork performed in a traditional high-heeled shoes. To provide a proper adaptation to the demands during stepping the knee flexion must be maintained to absorb the forces. This position also enables to separate the lower limbs from the trunk, allowing the foot to strike quickly. Because of a high incidence of knee injuries among flamenco dancers, the purpose of the research was to examine the knee joint position during zapateado. Material and methods Participants 12 women (27.82±8.04 years, 60.22±7.19 kg, 167±8.23 cm) participated in the study approved by Research Ethics Committee of the San Antonio Catholic University (Spain). They have been attending Flamenco course for at least 2 years 4 hours per week. The dancers' task was to perform ZAP-3 Test. The test, widely used by flamenco dancers, consists of six footwork performed with the forefoot, heel and toes, alternatively with both feet. They repeated the sequence of steps during 15 seconds at maximum speed taking care of high technical quality. The subjects wore their specific flamenco high-heeled shoes (6 cm). The knee joint parameters were derived from the video registration in the sagittal plane (120 Hz). To identify the knee angle we used the following anatomical landmarks: greater trochanter of the femur, head of the tibia, lateral malleolus. Kinovea 0.8.22 software was used for the kinematic analysis. The variables of interest were: step frequency and sagittal knee kinematics of the right (supportive) leg when the left was performing steps. Conclusions Proper knee flexion is a result of an ergonomic adaptation during fast footwork phases of dancing which is accompanied by a gentle posterior pelvic tilt. The sagittal knee joint resistance to dynamic changes is provided by the proper coactivation of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Extended position of the knee may produce less impact absorption through the musculotendinous system increasing the force transmitted to the passive structures of the knee and, consequently, more impacts rise to the spine. However, excessive knee flexion may cause injury to the patellar level. Our study is the first approach to identify the proper knee angle while performing stepping percussive movements of the feet, but more investigations are needed. Results ISPGR World Congress 2015, Sevilla, Spain: June 28 - July 2 Footwork steps Knee angle [deg] X ± SD Max Min P 144.93 ± 9.88 162.82 132.56 T 145.31 ± 7.67 160.27 133.50 PNT 143.89 ± 7.77 160.00 130.80 All 144.71 ± 8.20 161.06 132.28 Total step 127.09 ± 18.08 158.00 105.00 Frequency [zap/s] 8.47 ± 1.21 10.53 7.00