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Background <p>Although strength training enhances performance in dancers, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on lower limb muscle architecture and the persistence of these adaptations following detraining. Therefore, this study examined the effects of a 12-week structured strength training program followed by 8 weeks of detraining on muscle architecture, isokinetic strength, and dance performance in female dancesport athletes.</p> Method <p>Thirty female dancesport athletes were randomly assigned to an intervention group (<i>n</i> = 15; regular dance training plus 12 weeks of structured strength training) or a control group (<i>n</i> = 15; regular dance training only). Following the intervention, both groups underwent an 8-week detraining period. Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and after detraining. Primary outcomes measured included lower limb muscle architecture, isokinetic knee flexor and extensor peak torque, and dance performance.</p> Result <p>Significant group × time interactions were observed for isokinetic strength and dance performance (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). For muscle architecture, significant interactions were found in the muscle thickness and pennation angle of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris long head, as well as in the muscle thickness of the vastus medialis (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Following training, the intervention group demonstrated significant increases in muscle thickness and pennation angle of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris long head (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), whereas the rectus femoris showed an increase in muscle thickness only (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Bilateral knee flexion and extension peak torque increased at both angular velocities (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), accompanied by significant improvements in dance performance scores (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). In contrast, the control group exhibited only limited changes over time. After detraining, most variables in the intervention group returned toward baseline; however, the vastus lateralis pennation angle, knee flexor peak torque, and technical quality scores remained above baseline levels (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01).</p> Conclusion <p>Structured strength training improved lower limb muscle architecture, isokinetic strength, and dance performance in female dancesport athletes. After 8 weeks of detraining, most adaptations regressed toward baseline, with partial retention in the vastus lateralis pennation angle, knee flexor peak torque, and technical quality scores. Regular dance training alone did not improve lower limb muscle architecture, knee strength or dance performance.</p> Trial registration <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07164599. Registered on 24 August 2025; last updated on 1 September 2025.</p>

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Strength training and detraining in female dancesport athletes: adaptations and retention of lower limb muscle architecture, strength, and dance performance

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Jingting Lu,
  • Tze-Huan Lei,
  • Eva Nabiha Binti Zamri,
  • Shazlin Shaharudin

摘要

Background

Although strength training enhances performance in dancers, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on lower limb muscle architecture and the persistence of these adaptations following detraining. Therefore, this study examined the effects of a 12-week structured strength training program followed by 8 weeks of detraining on muscle architecture, isokinetic strength, and dance performance in female dancesport athletes.

Method

Thirty female dancesport athletes were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15; regular dance training plus 12 weeks of structured strength training) or a control group (n = 15; regular dance training only). Following the intervention, both groups underwent an 8-week detraining period. Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and after detraining. Primary outcomes measured included lower limb muscle architecture, isokinetic knee flexor and extensor peak torque, and dance performance.

Result

Significant group × time interactions were observed for isokinetic strength and dance performance (all p < 0.001). For muscle architecture, significant interactions were found in the muscle thickness and pennation angle of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris long head, as well as in the muscle thickness of the vastus medialis (all p < 0.05). Following training, the intervention group demonstrated significant increases in muscle thickness and pennation angle of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris long head (all p < 0.01), whereas the rectus femoris showed an increase in muscle thickness only (p < 0.05). Bilateral knee flexion and extension peak torque increased at both angular velocities (all p < 0.05), accompanied by significant improvements in dance performance scores (all p < 0.01). In contrast, the control group exhibited only limited changes over time. After detraining, most variables in the intervention group returned toward baseline; however, the vastus lateralis pennation angle, knee flexor peak torque, and technical quality scores remained above baseline levels (all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Structured strength training improved lower limb muscle architecture, isokinetic strength, and dance performance in female dancesport athletes. After 8 weeks of detraining, most adaptations regressed toward baseline, with partial retention in the vastus lateralis pennation angle, knee flexor peak torque, and technical quality scores. Regular dance training alone did not improve lower limb muscle architecture, knee strength or dance performance.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07164599. Registered on 24 August 2025; last updated on 1 September 2025.