An Investigation of Feldenkrais Method® on dancers who have compromised abdominal region muscular function: A biomechanic analysis on Pirouette En Dehors / Aubruary Pui Sik Fung (2022)

To maintain dynamic alignment and balance in technical dance movement, one must activate core muscles to achieve equilibrium. There is a certain population of dancers who possibly struggle in core strengthening exercises due to their compromised abdominal muscular function (CAMF), such as Irritated Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gynaecological issues, Abdominal Surgery and After-birth delivery. And prior studies have shown contradictory views about whether exercises would bring harmful effects to them. This study aims to investigate the difference of dynamic alignment and balance between dancers with and without CAMF by kinematical measures. And further examine the effectiveness of a 12-sessions Feldenkrais Method (FM)Awareness Through Movement on dynamic alignment and balance improvement between the two groups (CAMF and nonCAMF dancers), as well as whether the intervention would have a different or equal impact on both groups. Under COVID-19 lockdown, 38 females (age = 34.13 ±7.16 years, height = 163.55 ±10.12cm, weight 57.55 ±7.71 kg) volunteered to participate a Home-2D motion capture on retire relevé and pirouette en dehors at pre-test. 18 females (age = 34.50 ±7.00 years, height = 166.06 ±7.48cm, weight 59.78 ±9.33kg) had completed 12-sessions FM intervention and post-test measurement. Independent sample T-test and Mann Whitney-U Test were performed to analyse and compare the kinematical variables between two groups in pre-test. Out of the six variables in dynamic alignment and balance, significant differences were only found on shoulder inclination(p = 0.04) and number of pirouette(p = 0.04). Mixed-ANOVA were performed to analyse the changes on the six measured variables before and after intervention in both groups. Significant improvements were found on time duration holding a retire relevé (p < 0.001) and number of pirouettes (p = 0.02) in both CAMF and non-CAMF groups (Within-subjects). No significant group differences were found on the measured variables after intervention (Between-subjects). Pre-test results indicated there were no differences between CAMF and non-CAMF dancers on dynamic alignment and balance. Findings also demonstrated 12-sessions of FM could improve dynamic balance on both groups of dancers, but not effective on dynamic alignment improvement. In addition, FM has an equal impact on both dancers with and without CAMF. This study suggests FM could be applied as part of the supplementary training program, especially for dancers who struggle in core strengthening 7 exercises due to pain and discomfort. Future research can compare the effectiveness of core strengthening exercises and FM, to investigate which approaches would bring optimal performance to dancers with CAMF.