MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF A DANCE JUMP IN DIFFERENT JAZZ SHOES

Abstract

Jumping is a key skill in dance and the effect of different dance shoes on jump performance is not known. Female pre-professional and professional dancers (n=14) were recruited to perform consecutive maximum vertical jumps in second position in four types of jazz shoes and barefoot, with and without music. An overall effect of the jazz shoes was found both with and without music (p<0.001), and music reduced jump height significantly (p<0.001), although no interaction was found between music and shoe condition. High-heeled shoes reduced maximum jump height, while the other jazz shoe styles were not significantly different to barefoot. The results of this study assist dancers, teachers and clinicians with shoe selection. Future research should examine the mechanisms of takeoff and landing in dance jumps in different shoes.