Abstract:
Poor timing negatively impacts the overall quality of dance performances. The
study's objective is to enhance dance timing performance through scaffolded
cognitive-psychomotor protocols like mindfulness exercises, imagery,
metronome-guided movements, ramp walking, and fitness dance. This approach
offers practical strategies for improving timing skills and coordination among
students with limited rhythmic abilities, benefiting Physical Education
professionals and dance instructors. The study employed a unique combination of
a case study design involving five first-year college students with beat-deafness,
alongside an embedded quasi-experiment approach. The investigation focused on
enhancing timing performance using these protocols, evaluating participants'
timing across dance choreographies at varying tempos (80, 100, 120, and 140 beats
per minute). Over 14 weeks, the study incorporated protocol implementation,
warm-up/cool-down exercises, and monitoring sheets, combining descriptive
tabular presentation and thematic analysis for comprehensive data analysis. The
findings indicate a limited impact of body scan mindfulness and imagery protocols
on timing, while locomotor movement with a metronome, ramp walking, and
fitness dance demonstrated varied degrees of improvement. Notably, ramp
walking and fitness dance exhibited potential for substantial timing enhancement,
contrasting with the limited effects of body scan mindfulness and imagery.
Thematic analysis confirmed the positive impact of cognitive psychomotor
protocols through themes such as physical, mental, and socio-emotional
regulation, coordination with music, cognitive development, and improved
physical fitness. In conclusion, the study underscores how cognitive psychomotor
protocols improve timing performance and well-being dimensions. Although case
studies provide valuable insights, their limitations necessitate mixed methods
approaches for future research, combining diverse methods to gain a broader
perspective on the topic.
