Does Irish-dance training influence lower-limb asymmetry?

Abstract

Irish-dance is a dance form where asymmetry is required. This study investigated the influence of Irish-dance training on four lower-limb asymmetries by comparing 100 Irish-dancers and 100 non-dancers. All four asymmetries showed significant differences between the dancers and the non-dancers: the rigidity of the dance training influencing those asymmetries.

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the 100 dancers and their dance teacher, Kathy O'Connor, from Trim The Velvet School of Irish Dance in Belfast and the 100 non-dancers from Stranmillis University College Belfast who participated in the project. We also wish to thank David Carey who suggested improvements to the paper.