Body Build and Body Composition of High Ability Female Dancers

Abstract

A series of body build and body composition variables were determined on a group of 29 female ballet and modern dancers. Comparisons were made between the dancers and other types of female athletes. The body build of the dancers was definitely different from that of nondancers. The dancers had lower body weights, lower LBW, smaller bideltoid, biacromial, bi-iliac, bitrochanteric, and wrist diameters, and less body fat than the nondancers. Compared to other types of female athletes, the dancers had more body fat and less LBW. Somatograms of the dancers indicated that their body builds exhibited good symmetry. © 1980 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.