Unit 3: Muscle Reading Response Flashcards
Question 1 “Proprioception”
What is a simple test for intact proprioception? (Katarina Response)
One test involves static joint position sense where the tester chooses a position for one of their limbs and has the dancer sit with their eyes closed and try to mimic that given position but with their opposite limb.
Another would be, while the dancer’s eyes were still closed, the tester would grasp the last phalange of the dancer’s big toe or thumb and move it up or down while asking the dancer which direction the toe or thumb was moving in space.
Question 2 “Proprioception”
What are two suggested guidelines for teachers to improve student proprioception? (Katarina’s Response)
The first suggestion for teachers is to pay close attention to how they communicate cues and instructions to dancers. In practice, this would mean steering clear of imagery that doesn’t accurately portray the source of a movement from the body, which could cause the dancer to lack proper development of neuro-muscular coordination.
A second suggestion would be having the teacher limit a dancer’s dependency on a mirror as the only tool to critique their dancing. The teacher would do better to allow time for the dance student to “feel” with their proprioceptive sense and sharpen their kinesthetic awareness. Then the dancer would feel more confident working alone while sensing their bodies in space and alongside an ensemble.
Question 3 “Reasons not to Stretch”
What aspects of performance suffered as a result of static stretching? (Katarina’s Response)
Static stretching did not reduce the chance of injury and lessened jumpers’ heights and sprinters’ speeds. Croatian researchers found that static stretching reduced muscle strength by ~5.5%. According to Dr. Markovic’s research, static stretching produced less muscle power which fell by ~2% afterward and explosive muscular power dropped by 2.8%. Another study concluded that young men performing standard squats with barbells managed 8.3% less weight, and felt less stable, and more unbalanced.
Question 4 “Reasons not to Stretch”
What do you imagine a “dynamic” warm-up for dance might entail?
Dynamic warmups serve as a precursor to the movements performed in the workout and gently prepare the body to meet the demands of the specific kind of dance or workout. I imagine a pace or tempo that slowly begins to build and raise the heart rate much similar to dance warmups. Moves that grow the body and involve movement that isn’t still like static stretching but moves where one will do arm circles, shoulder rotations, lunges, grand battements, and other active movements that help with mobility and reaching one’s full range of motion.
Feedback: Yes, this warm up should call upon the muscles that will be used while you are dancing.
Question 5 “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)”
How long after exercise does the pain set in, and when is it most severe? (Katarina’s Response)
Initial pain begins 12-24 hours after a workout and the pain will become the most severe 24-72 hours after the workout.
Question 6: “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)”
What type of muscular activity is most likely to cause DOMS? (Katarina’s Response)
DOMS results from microscopic damage to muscle fibers during exercise and the body’s attempt to repair itself. Muscular activity that promotes eccentric muscle actions like the lowering phase of a bicep curl or placing excessive force on a muscle like running down a hill. Also, a muscular activity that involves high repetitions can cause more damage as well.
Question 7 “Kinesiological Analysis”
7A What constant force must be considered in kinesiological analysis?
7B Why?
(Katarina’s Response)
7A. Gravity is the force that must always be considered.
7B. The muscular system and gravity work as opposing forces or, in a tug-of-war, in how to move the body. Gravity naturally pulls down on the body, and the muscles must contract in resistance against it. There are three types of contractions that have a direct relationship with gravity: shortening, static, and lengthening. Making a kinesiological analysis relies on understanding how gravity dictates how the body will move and behave.
Feedback: Almost! An awareness of gravity is important because it will help you identify which muscles will be the most effective in producing a movement.
Question 8 “Muscle Strength is in the Mind”
How might this study’s findings inform the study and performance of dance? (Katarina’s Response)
The study demonstrates how strong the mind-body connection can be. Imagery plays a profound role in the study and reminds me greatly of visualization meditation or the mental exercises carried out in Feldenkrais. I think that dance, especially for choreographers, can be directly from imagination and imagery plays a role in creating and seeing a work performed. In another way, I think that the practice of dance helps build memory, and watching others perform, can encourage a community to strengthen one another literally. Even when it comes to what each dancer thinks is their limitation physically, it may actually not be a limitation, having a growth mindset will help a dancer overcome what they might believe to be simply a physical challenge.
Feedback: Yes, and it can also actually activate and strengthen the muscles that are used in the movement you are thinking about.
