Physical Education: Dance Concepts, Elements, and Physiological Indicators

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Ballroom Dance, Elements of Dance (BASTE), Modern Dance, Physiological Indicators (Heart Rate, MHR, RHR, RPE), and Social Dances.

Ballroom Dance

A set of partnered social and competitive dances enjoyed worldwide, broadly divided into Standard Smooth and Latin or Rhythm.

Partnership (Ballroom Dance)

A characteristic of ballroom dance requiring two people to perform together through body communication.

Lead and Follow

A ballroom dance dynamic where one dancer directs the movement (lead) while the other responds to the signal (follow).

Samba Dance

A lively, rhythmic Afro-Brazilian dance and music genre rooted in West African traditions, characterized by syncopated footwork, rapid hip movements, and an iconic bouncy undulating body action.

Dance

An art of rhythmic body movement commonly associated with music, performed for cultural, spiritual, social, therapeutic, or artistic purposes.

B.A.S.T.E.

An acronym representing the five foundational elements of dance: Body, Action, Space, Time, and Energy.

Body (Element of Dance)

The instrument of dance that others observe, used to express internal emotions and create symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes.

Symmetrical Movement

A movement that is similar on both sides, creating a balanced shape.

Asymmetrical Movement

A movement that is different on each side, creating an unbalanced shape.

Action (Element of Dance)

The movement performed by a dancer, ranging from small facial expressions or gestures to large movements like lifts, categorized into locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

Locomotor Movements

Body movements that cause the body to travel through space and change location, such as walking, running, skipping, sliding, and hopping.

Non-locomotor Movements

Also known as axial movements; body movements performed in place without causing overall displacement, such as bending, stretching, twisting, raising, and swinging.

Space (Element of Dance)

The element referring to where the dancer moves, encompassing level, direction, size, and pathways.

Time (Element of Dance)

The element related to when a dancer moves, involving speed (fast or slow), rhythm, tempo, and timing relationships.

Energy (Element of Dance)

The element describing how movement occurs, involving variations in movement flow, force, tension, attack, and weight.

Modern Dance

A contemporary style of dance where dancers freely express feelings through movements without adhering to rigid rules, utilizing personal interpretation and movements that reveal physical effort.

Technique (Modern Dance)

An aspect of modern dance that teaches dancers to control the body, providing skills to move efficiently, with precision, and express human behavior.

Improvisation (Modern Dance)

Spontaneous movement performed by dancers in response to suggestions, ideas, feelings, or stimuli provided by a choreographer.

Choreography (Modern Dance)

The creation of dance that represents personal and emotional experiences, offering total freedom in subject matter and intent.

Heart Rate

The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually measured per minute, with a normal range typically stated as $60$ to $100\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Bradycardia

A condition characterized by a resting heart rate slower than $60\,\text{beats per minute}$ ("slow heart").

Tachycardia

A condition characterized by a resting heart rate faster than $100\,\text{beats per minute}$ ("fast heart").

Apical Site

A pulse measurement site located on the left side of the chest over the pointed end, or apex, of the heart.

Carotid Pulse Site

A pulse measurement site located on both sides of the neck.

Radial Pulse Site

A pulse measurement site located on either wrist on the thumb side, placed between the bone and tendon over the radial artery.

Temporal Pulse Site

A pulse measurement site felt at the temple near the ear.

Resting Heart Rate (RHR)

The rate of heartbeats per minute measured while at rest, calculated by counting pulse beats in $15\,\text{seconds}$ and multiplying by $4$.

Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)

The estimated maximum heartbeats per minute for an individual, roughly calculated using the formula $\text{MHR} = 220 - \text{age}$.

Target Heart Rate Zone

The heart rate intensity range (such as $60\%$ to $85\%$ of MHR) that an individual should work at to improve cardiorespiratory endurance.

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale

A scale running from $1$ to $10$ used to measure exercise intensity based on descriptions or feelings of how easy or difficult an activity is.

Rigorous Exercise (Heart Rate Threshold)

Exercise intensity that raises the heart rate to $70\%$ to $80\%$ of an individual's maximum heart rate.

Social Dance

A broad category of partner or group dancing focused primarily on socializing, recreation, and community connection.