Energy requirements in top-level DanceSport athletes

Dancesport is a sport of recent history: recognition by the IOC as Olimpic discipline came in 1997. Scientific literature on this new sport is almost nonexistent. The purpose of this study is for define the energy expenditure and the intensity of the two main dancesport disciplines (latin-american and standard dances) in top-level athletes and verify characteristics and differences of these two dance genres. Twenty dancers, 10 male and 10 female (10 couples,), aged between 19 and 31 years, have been enrolled in this study. 5 couples were latin-american dancers while 5 couples standard dancers. Athletes were asked to wear a metabolic holter (Sensewear Armband)for 25 hours and to perform a training session and a simulated competition to record BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), DEE (Daily Energy Expenditure), TEE (Training Energy Expenditure), MET (Metabolic Equivalent) and PAL (Physical Activity Level). Statistical analysis reveals no differences between the two dance disciplines, our results suggest that dancesport is a moderate/heavy activity that requires a strong energy expenditure. Athletes involved in continuous training programs show a vigorous Physical Activity Level.