PhD, Associate Professor I.S. Krasnorutskaya¹
Dr. Biol., Professor M.G. Tkachuk¹
Dr. Hab., Professor A.G. Levitsky¹
PhD, Associate Professor I.V. Pyzhova²
Yu.L. Rysev^2
1Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, St. Petersburg
²Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg

Keywords: adaptive potential, psychoemotional state, somatotype, young athletes, dance sport.

Background. A body type, or somatotype, is a fundamental feature of human body constitution. The somatotypological characteristics make it possible to forecast person’s mobility and personal characteristics. Changes in the emotional state and anxiety level are a significant component of the adaptation process [3, 5]. The scientific research data show all sports activities that imply a high level of motor and psychological complexity place high demands on athletes, requiring from them the best adaptive response, in the structure of which the psychophysiological status is key [1, 7, 6].

Objective of the study was to analyze the impact of dance sport practices on the main morphofunctional and psychological features of female ballroom dancers.

Methods and structure of the study. Sampled for the study were 65 adolescent girls. The Experimental Group (EG) was made of 35 girls engaged in ballroom dancing, the Control Group (CG) – of 30 girls studying at the secondary school No. 204 of St. Petersburg, whose motor mode was characterized as traditional (2 physical education classes a week). The girls’ somatotypes were evaluated using the Heath-Carter method. Their state and trait anxiety levels were assessed by the Spielberger-Hanin test. Based on the index of functional changes, we determined the adaptive potential of the circulatory system.

Index of functional changes = 0.018•HR + 0.014•SBP + 0.008•DBP + 0.014•age + 0.009 •body mass - 0.009•body length - 0.27 [4].

Index of functional changes is the parameter that is inversely proportional to the level of adaptive potential (Table 1).

Table 1. Classification of functional states by the level of adaptive potential of the circulatory system

The evaluation of the state and trait anxiety levels in the CG showed that these indicators in the EG were lower than in the CG. The high levels of the state and trait anxiety in the CG were due to the emotional excitement and attention failure. The CG girls (72%) were found to have a high trait anxiety level. The results obtained indicated that the participants were prone to various forms of neurotic conflict. In the EG, 7% of the trainees had a high state anxiety level, while the majority of the participants had average levels of the trait and state anxiety, indicating their emotional stability. The female athletes demonstrated an adequate response to different types of emotional tension, as well as a good motivational assessment of the situation.

The M. Luscher Color Test showed that the color preferences in the EG (75%) were as follows: blue, green, yellow. The majority of the CG girls (60%) were generally focused on a darker color scheme: gray, brown. Therefore, the CG subjects had a high level of psychological disadaptation. According to the literature sources, this is seen as a reaction of shifting away from social intercourse, tension, fatigue, low mood, need for rest [4].

The study found that with the gain in the training and competitive experience in dance sports, the psycho-emotional tension in adolescence is reduced.

The analysis of the adaptive potential of the circulatory system of the ballroom dancers revealed that the majority of the girls (57.2%) had a satisfactory level of adaptation. This indicated an adequate functional state of their circulatory system [2].

It was also found that 28.6% of the ballroom dancers were in stress, while the functional state of 7.1% of the subjects was characterized as poor, they demonstrated the early signs of failure in adaptation.

The somatotype and index of functional changes in the EG were closely associated. The girls with the mesomorphic body type were found to have the lowest index of functional changes, which indicated that these subjects had a high level of adaptive potential of the circulatory system (Table 2).

Table 2. Level of adaptive potential in the representatives of different somatotypes, М±m

Conclusion. The identified morphofunctional and psychological features of the body can be applied in the development of the constitutional model characteristics of young female ballroom dancers. This implies the possibility of positive adaptation to dance sport practices and achievement of the highest competitive results.

References

1. Christensen J.F., Gomila A., Gaigg S.B., Sivarajah N., Calvo-Merino B. (2016). Dance expertise modulates behavioral and psychophysiological responses to affective body movement. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 42(8), 1139-1147. doi:10.1037/xhp0000176
2. Gruzelier J.H., Thompson T., Redding E., Brandt R., Steffert T. (2014). Application of alpha/theta neurofeedback and heart rate variability training to young contemporary dancers: State anxiety and creativity. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 93(1), 105-111. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.05.004
3. Guidetti L., Buzzachera C.F., Emerenziani G.P., Meucci M., Saavedra F., Gallotta M.C., Baldari C. (2015). Psychophysiological responses to salsa dance. PLoS ONE, 10(4) doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121465
4. Helin P. (1989). Mental and psychophysiological tension at professional ballet dancers' performances and rehearsals. Dance Research Journal, 21(1), 7-14. doi:10.2307/1478609
5. Korobeynikov G., Korobeynikova L., Bulatova M., Mishko V., Cretu M.F., Yarmak O., . . . Kudria M. (2020). Relationship of successful formation of choreographic skills in young athletes with psychophysiological characteristics. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20(2), 915-920. doi:10.7752/jpes.2020.02130
6. Pierce E.F., Daleng M.L. (1998). Distortion of body image among elite female dancers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 87(3 PART 1), 769-770. doi:10.2466/pms.1998.87.3.769
7. Pierce E.F., Daleng M.L., McGowan R.W. (1993). Scores on exercise dependence among dancers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 76 (2), 531-535. doi:10.2466/pms.1993.76.2.531

Corresponding author: belka783@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to assess the impact of dance sport classes on the main morphofunctional and psychological characteristics of girls engaged in ballroom dancing.

Methods and structure of the study. A total of 65 adolescent girls from St. Petersburg school No. 204 were sampled for the study: Experimental Group - 35 subjects, Control Group - 30 subjects. The girls’ motor mode was characterized as traditional (two Physical Education classes per week). Their somatotypes were evaluated by the Heath-Carter somatotype evaluation method. The Spielberger-Hanin test was used to identify the subjects' levels of trait and state anxiety. The adaptive potential of the circulatory system was determined based on the index of functional changes.

Results and conclusions. Based on the morphofunctional indicators reflecting the peculiarities of functional mechanisms during the bodily adaptation, the authors were able to determine the level of the subjects’ adaptive potential, as well as the indicators of the level of functional and psychological fitness of young dancers. It was found that girls with different somatotypes have different levels of anxiety, motor activity, and adaptive potential.

As opposed to the Control Group girls, those engaged in ballroom dancing had a state of emotional stability, low levels of trait anxiety and psychosocial tension. The Experimental Group girls with the mesomorphic somatic type were found to have minor functional changes, and average levels of the state and trait anxiety, which indicated a high level of adaptive capabilities.