Analysis of Current Tests for Assessing Dance Aesthetic Performance: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dance has artistry and expression as its primary performance goals. In contrast with sports, measuring dancers' proficiency in the art form involves a subjective aesthetic component, rather more challenging to quantify and score. Qualitative measurement tools for assessing dance aesthetic performance have been previously proposed. This systematic review aims to examine the different test protocols that assessed aesthetic performance in modern or ballet dancers at vocational or professional levels in order to discuss methodological approaches for future development and application of dance aesthetic performance tools. The investigation followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality of evidence was moderate and methodological limitations in protocols were found. Accounting for genre-specificity and assessing for reliability, specificity and sensibility could further develop dance aesthetic tools in future studies.