Analysis of Changement de Pied, Echappe and Sissonne Ferme jumps in female ballet dancers

In classical ballet, jumping should stand more on technique and elegance rather than maximal height. This study aimed to investigate dancers’ ability to perform stable jumps with classical ballet technique. Twenty-two female dancers [divided in two groups: Expert: n=12; Novice, n=10] were recruited to perform three vertical jump protocols: 1) Changement de Pied (CHA), composed by 5 consecutive jumps; 2) Echappé (ECH), composed by two consecutive ‘Echappé’ jumps; and 3) Sissonne Fermé (SF) jumps. Through an Optojump Next system were measured: a) Height (H) of jumps; b) Jumping Point Gap (JPG) and c) Used Area (UA). The CHA analysis showed differences between consecutive jumps for JPG (p=0.003). An approach to significance (p=0.52) and a difference (p=0.42) between groups were found for H and JPG respectively, while no differences were found for UA. The ECH analysis revealed main differences between jumps for H (p<0.001), JPG (p=0.003) and UA (p<0.001), post-hoc analysis showed differences (p<0.05) between each jump from the fifth position to the second one and vice versa for H and UA whilst differences between groups emerged only for UA (p=0.001). The SF analysis showed no differences for all parameters. The results showed as in CHA dancers carried out a control on the jump height to maintain their “aplomb” and limit the medio- lateral displacement, which was also influenced by the dancers’ experience (NOV group showed higher H and JPG values). The dancers’ skill was also demonstrated by their ability to perform similar jumps in each of the two echappé cycles.