The Need for Development of Power Prediction Models in Modern Dance Performance.

Background: Accurate power estimation is essential for evaluating explosive strength in athletes, but current formulas may not be suitable for dancers due to their unique biomechanics. Purpose: This study aims to examine the vertical jump power characteristics of modern dancers, accounting for sex-related differences, and to critically assess the limitations of existing power estimation models in dance performance. Methods: The study assessed the applicability of power estimation formulas for dancers, with 52 trained dancers (30 females, 22 males; mean age: 24.5 ± 3.07 years) performing maximal-effort countermovement jumps to evaluate explosive power. Power values were calculated using equations for males (Amonette, Lara, and Quagliarella) and females (Lara and Canavan and Vescovi). Results: Significant differences were found among the power estimation formulas for both female (χ 2 = 60.0, P < .001) and male dancers (χ 2 = 42.0, P < .001). Among female dancers, the Lara medium formula produced higher power estimates than both the Lara elite ( P = .004, g = −0.521) and the Canavan and Vescovi ( P < .001, g = −1.02) formulas, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large. For male dancers, the Amonette formula yielded the highest power estimates ( P < .001, g = −1.18), followed by the Lara formula ( P < .001, g = −0.85), both showing large effect sizes. The Quagliarella formula consistently provided the lowest estimates ( P < .001, g = −1.13). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) indicated good reliability, with ICC values of 0.872 for females and 0.959 for males. Conclusion: The examined power estimation formulas did not accurately reflect the vertical jump performance of modern dancers, revealing notable inconsistencies between methods. These findings highlight the need to develop gender-specific models that account for dancers’ unique biomechanics, ensuring more precise and valid power assessments in this population.