Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Women dancers--Iowa--Cedar Falls--Psychology; Somatotypes; Women dancers--Psychology; Iowa--Cedar Falls; Academic theses;

Abstract

The relationship between body type and perceived physical competence was determined among college female company dancers. Participants were from one of four technique based dance companies at a midwestern university. They were questioned as to their perceived physical competence in seven different styles of dance, all of which had been offered at the selected university over the previous academic year. Body type was calculated using both the Body Mass Index Scale and the Body Composition Analyzer, which is a bioelectrical impedance analysis of one's body fat percentage, total body water, and body weight. A total of 44 participants took part in the study. The investigator questioned if the body fat percentage or body mass index of a participant would relate to the perceived physical competence of that individual in several different styles of dance. Whether or not the company a dancer was involved in and how that experience might influence what styles the participant felt most comfortable with was also questioned. The research hypothesis stated that a correlation existed between body type and perceived physical competence in college female company dancers. The results of the study were not consistent with the research hypothesis and instead indicated that body type, defined by either body mass index or body fat percentage, was not significantly related to the participant's levels of perceived physical competence. Findings did indicate that the dance company with which a participant danced was statistically significant to that individual's level of perceived physical competence for the styles focused on in that company. Recommendations by the principal investigator include retesting a sample of participants at a larger university with a dance program based on elite technique and professional performance preparation instead of dance education and also using a secondary method for testing body composition.

Year of Submission

2010

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Jennifer J. Waldron

Second Advisor

Kathleen A. Kerr

Third Advisor

Cynthia J. Herndon

Comments

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Date Original

2010

Object Description

1 PDF file (61 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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