Chapter 2 Dance Training and Technique

Question 1

What are the three planes of movement

Answer 1

Sagittal Plane, Frontal Plane, Transverse Plane

Question 2

Define: Sagittal Plane

Answer 2

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left

Question 3

Define: Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Answer 3

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back

Question 4

Define: Transverse Plane

Answer 4

Horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower

Question 5

What bones make up the upper extremities?

Answer 5

Clavicle, Acromion process, Scapula, Humerus, Ulna, Radius, Carpals, Metacarpals, Phalanges.

Question 6

What bones make up the lower extremities?

Answer 6

Ilium, Sacrum, Femur, Patella, Tibia, Fibula, Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges

Question 7

What bones make up the torso?

Answer 7

Sternum, Ribs, Vertebral Colum

Question 8

What are the parts/curves of the spine?

Answer 8

Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacral (sacrum/ coccyx complex)

Question 9

What are the six types of synovial (moveable) joints?

Answer 9

• Gliding joints = bones slide/glide over each other. (eg: joints in foot)
• Hinge joints = move in one plane. (eg: elbow joint)
• Pivot joints = rotary movement, one bone rolls over another. (eg: forearm or radioulnar joint)
• Saddle joints = Have a saddle like shape, move only in one plane. (eg: thumb joint)
• Condyloid joints = Move in two planes, front and back, side to side. (eg: thumb joint)
• Ball-and-socket Joints = Versatile, move in all three planes (eg: hip joint)

Question 10

What are the main joints involves in dance?

Answer 10

Upper: wrist, radioulnar joint, elbow, shoulder joint, and shoulder girdle.

Lower: foot, ankle, knee and hip.

Question 11

What is the main function of ligaments?

Answer 11

Ligaments are a connective tissue that connects bones to other bones.

Question 12

What structures assist joint function?

Answer 12

Hyaline cartilage: line all of the ends of bones where they come together to form joints.

Fibrocartilage: Spacers and shock absorbers, most notably in the spine and knee.

Synovial membrane: Structure in the joint that secretes fluid to lubricate the joint for smooth action.

Bursae: padding that helps tendons slide smoothly

Question 13

What is Fascia?

Answer 13

Like ligaments is made of tough connective tissue. Adds additional stability to the area is covers.

Question 14

List and describe the organisation of the abdominal muscles

Answer 14

The Rectus Abdominis is the superficial muscle of the abdominals.
The external and internal obliques run diagonally and line the sides of the torso. The internal obliques lie underneath the external obliques.
The transversus abdominis is deep to all these muscles.

Question 15

Which abdominal muscles are involved in spine stabilisation?

Answer 15

• Transversus abdominis
• Sternocleidomastoid and deeper scalene cause flexion in cervical spine but are also primary stabilisers
• Quadratus Lumborum = stabilises ribs on pelvis

Question 16

What are some of the variables affecting the execution of a pirouette?

Answer 16

• force used by the feet on the floor
• distance between feet in preparation
• time it takes to push off the ground and turn
• use of arms

Question 17

Physics in Balance

Answer 17

Balance occurs when the centre of gravity is in a vertical line with support from the floor.

All balances either move the centre of gravity or change the location of support

eg: Changing the centre of gravity = going from wide stance to balancing on one foot

Changing the location of support = jumping from from feet to one hand in urban dance

Question 18

Physics in Turns

Answer 18

Starting in a wider preparatory stance produces more torque the force that causes an object to rotate.

Arms generate and store momentum after turn is initiated which is then transferred to the torso.

Question 19

Physics in Jumps

Answer 19

Gravity is a key factor in jumps

Lifting the arms during a jump can increase height as the momentum is transferred to the arms then the body when it is near the peak of its motion.

Question 20

What are the major muscles of the upper body?

Answer 20

Deltoid, Pectorals, Biceps, Abdominals, Wrist Flexors, Finger Flexors, Trapezius, Rhomboids, Triceps, Latissimus Dorsi

Question 21

What are the major muscles of the lower body?

Answer 21

Quadriceps, Tibialis anterior, Gluteals, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Achilles Tendon

Question 22

Why does ligament structure vary in different parts of the body?

Answer 22

The shoulder joint is shallower compared to the hip joint. The shoulder joint has numerous ligaments which are not as strong as those in the hip.
This shows the focus on mobility in the upper body and stability in the lower body.

Question 23

4 components of the core?

Answer 23

• Diaphragm
• Pelvic floor
• Transverse muscles
• Lumbar multifidus