Motion Analysis Technologies for Biomechanical Gait and Postural Analysis in Ballet

The dominant element in ballet is the search for flawless performance. The specific training required from early years may cause some changes compared to the normal human anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of motion analysis technologies for the evaluation of frequent changes in biomechanics of posture and dance. This paper presents an overview of the literature on the main postural compensation employed by the dancer; more specifically on the training effect of the fundamental basic techniques in ballet. It then focuses on the characteristics and potential of motion analysis technologies for the biomechanical evaluation of the dancer. The technologies investigated in this study are the optoelectronic system of gait analysis, which is one of the most advanced technologies for multifactorial motion analysis, integrated with the use of the force platform and the electromyography. These technologies enable a quantitative three-dimensional integrated multifactorial motion analysis in relation to kinematics and dynamics. Through specific systems of motion analysis, the instrumental analysis can describe objectively and with reasonable accuracy the biomechanics, the postural compensation, and the gait of the dancer.