An examination of balance, flexibility, and proprioception in Latin dancers: cross sectional case-control study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and knee joint proprioception of Latin dancers, and compare them with sedentary individuals.

Material and Methods: The study involved 11 Latin dancers and 11 sedentary individuals from Isparta, Türkiye. Information was collected through face-to-face interviews. The REGICOR physical activity questionnaire was used to assess participants' physical activity levels. Flexibility was measured using the sit-and-reach test, balance by means of the lower extremity Y-balance and Stork tests, knee proprioception with active and passive knee proprioception measurements using an isokinetic dynamometer, and muscle strength using the squat test.

Results: The flexibility of Latin dancers was significantly higher than that of sedentary individuals (p=0.001). In the Y-balance test, Latin dancers scored significantly higher on both the right (p=0.007) and left (p=0.008) sides. In the Stork test, no significant difference was found for the left leg, but Latin dancers performed significantly better on the right leg (p=0.009). No significant difference was observed in the squat test. Proprioception measurements revealed that Latin dancers had better knee proprioception than sedentary individuals, with significant differences in left knee active 75° (p=0.045), left knee passive 75° (p=0.001), and right knee active 45° (p=0.030).

Conclusion: Latin dancers have better balance, flexibility, and knee proprioception. Latin dancing may be recommended as a recreational activity for individuals with balance and flexibility issues, and Latin dancers can improve their physical fitness while socializing through dancing.

Cite this article as: Erdas RK, Tuncbilek GI, Eroglu E, Korkmaz F, Arslan E, Ercan S. An examination of balance, flexibility, and proprioception in Latin dancers: cross sectional case-control study. Turk J Sports Med. 2025;60(2):50-6; https://doi.org/10.47447/tjsm.0890

The approval for this study was obtained from Süleyman Demirel University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee, Isparta, Türkiye (Decision no:243, Date: 05/12/2023).

Concept/Design: RKE; Design: RKE, SE; Supervision/Consultancy: RKE, EA, SE; Funding and Resources: SE; Materials: RKE, GİT, EE, FK; Data Collection and/ or Processing: RKE, GİT, EE, FK; Analysis and/ or Interpretation: RKE, GİT, EE, FK; Literature Review: RKE, GİT, EE, FK, EA; Writing: RKE, GİT, EE, FK, EA; Critical Review: SE, EA

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to authorship and/or publication of the article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or publication of this article.

Dissemination
This study was presented as an oral presentation at the Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Project and Science Days at 16th May 2024.

We would like to express our gratitude to all those who participated in our study.