A Three-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Grand Rond de Jambe en l'air Skilled Versus Novice Ballet Dancers

The purpose of this study was twofold: to perform an in-depth three-dimensional kinematic analysis of grand rond de jambe en l'air en dehors and to identify different strategies employed between the skilled and novice dancers in performing grand rond de jambe. Ten female college dance students, ranked as skilled (N = 5) or novice (N = 5), performed grand rond de jambe while video-taped for three-dimensional motion analysis in a six-camera setup (60 Hz). Events and phases for the movement were determined to establish a protocol for biomechanic analysis of this movement. Orientation angles of the trunk and pelvis and horizontal and vertical angles of the gesture leg were computed for inter-group comparison. The results of this investigation show differences between skilled and novice dancers in terms of the vertical angle (height) of the gesture leg, horizontal angle of the leg at the transition of pelvic rotation, and increased pelvic motion in all three planes. No significant difference was observed in the trunk motion and orientation. It was concluded that the skilled group secured the required gesture leg motion via a pelvic strategy.