KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF THE SWING LEG IN A RUMBA WALK

Abstract

This research investigated the kinematics and kinetics of the swing leg action in a Rumba walk (SLRW). The purpose of this study was to profile the SLRW in an attempt to distinguish a common movement pattern of the lower limb kinematics and kinetics in expert Latin dancers. Ten subjects (4 men and 6 women) all expert Latin Dancesport competitors volunteered to participate in this study. Kinematic data were collected using a Vicon Nexus system. Each participant completed the action 5 times. Calculations were made for angular velocity and acceleration, Coefficient of Multiple Correlation (CMC) and interactive moments. It was found that SLRW is a highly repeatable task in trained populations and that the execution of SLRW follows similar patterns of segmental interaction as those shown in walking and kicking.