The effects of an 8-week resistance training intervention on muscular strength, power, and body composition in collegiate female dancers

Although weight training can enhance muscular strength, power, and body composition, outdated beliefs about muscular adaptations have limited its use in dancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week progressive overload resistance-training (RT) program on muscular strength, power and body composition in collegiate female dancers. Sixteen subjects were randomised into a dance-only control group (CON) or an RT + dance training group (EXP). EXP met 3x/week for RT. Body fat (%BF), lean body mass (LBM), girth measurements, vertical jump (VJ), muscular strength (1-repetition max (RM) squat (SQT) and 1-RM bench press (BP)), maximal oxygen consumption (V^. O_2max, and ventilatory threshold (VT)) were assessed pre- and post-study. Baseline performance characteristics across all subjects were: %BF=28.2±5.7%, VJ=33.4±5.4 cm, SQT=57.5±12.1 kg, BP=30.1±7.6 kg, (V^. O_2max)=40.6±3.4 ml/kg/min, and VT=71.2±3.4%VO_2max. Strength improvements were significantly greater for EXP than CON (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between groups for %BF, LBM, girth measurements, VJ_height, (V^.O_2max), or VT (P>0.05). However, a trend was observed for VJ_power favouring EXP (P=0.07). EXP significantly improved strength, while no significant changes were observed in body composition. However, EXP improved their power-to-weight ratio, which may be a positive performance adaptation. RT for dancers can improve strength and power, allowing enhanced muscular loading and fatigue-resistance, which may optimise performance and decrease injury risk.