Analysis of characteristics in China classic dancers' gait pattern

China Classic Dance is one of the most important and popular dancing in China and has become more and more popular from all over the world. However, the special gait patterns for the China Classic Dancers are not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of plantar pressure distribution in the China Classic Dancers and the non-dancers, and recognize if force transference happened. Gait data (PP, Fmax, PTI, FTI and FTIrel) from 93 China Classic Dancers and 30 non-dancers were analyzed. The plantar force transference was accessed with a load-transfer algorithm. Significant differences were found in plantar pressure distribution between the two groups: 1. maximum forces for China Classic Dancers significantly lower than the control group except the T1 and M2 regions; 2. peak pressures showed significant decrease in the China Classic Dancers except the M2 region; 3. the force-time integrals and pressure-time integrals in each region reduced significantly in comparison with the controls; 4. main significant load transferences were observed from T1, lateral forefoot (M3-5), midfoot and HM regions to the medial forefoot (M1-2) areas (T1, M3-5, MF, HM->M1-2). And the medial to lateral transferences were typical in toes and heel regions (T1->T2-5, HM->HL). These results suggested a typical gait patterns for the China Classic Dancers. Further investigation is needed in sports biomechanics and injuries for this special population.