Examining the Relationship Between Total Passive, Active, and Functional Turnout Measures in Dance / Melissa Mishkin (2023)

In the field of dance medicine and science, there is an abundance of discussion around the topic of turnout. In spite of this, a standardised way to measure turnout, any component of turnout (HER or NHCTO), or any type of turnout (passive, active, or functional) has not yet been devised. This study aimed to expand current knowledge on total turnout in regard to both reliability of frequently used methods of measurement and the relationship between total passive, total active, and total functional turnout. Total passive, total active, and total functional turnout measurements were taken on 22 university level students using frequently used methods of measurement in current literature. All three methods demonstrated high levels of intra-rater reliability. All dancers demonstrated higher degrees of total passive turnout than either total active or functional turnout indicating that they are anatomically able to achieve higher degrees of total active and total functional turnout than they currently utilise. Sixty eight percent of participants demonstrated a higher degree of total active turnout than total functional turnout. A large range of degrees of total turnout were reported highlighting the individualistic nature of turnout and the wide range of skeletal and soft tissue factors that need to be considered when examining total turnout. Additionally, a large range of utilisation percentages, the percent of total active or total functional turnout a dancer is utilising based on their total passive turnout measurement, was reported. Strength of the hip external rotators were also measured in 10 of the 22 participants. A strong positive relationship between strength of the hip external rotators and total active turnout was revealed as well as a weak negative relationship between hip external rotator strength and total functional turnout, although results were statistically insignificant. It is undisputed that a standardised way to measure total passive, total active, and total functional turnout is needed. Additionally, further research is needed on how dancers are achieving total active and total functional turnout. Adoption of utilisation percentages over degree totals in dance medicine and science research as well as in the dance studio and clinic would be advantageous for both dancer and practitioner as it provides a clearer account of the dancer’s capability and practice.