The effect of holding a costume on jump-landing performance and biomechanics in Lion Dance

Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese performance art that requires dancers to execute numerous jump-landings while holding a costume, which restricts upper-body movement. The current study aimed to quantify the effects of holding a costume on lower limb biomechanics during both jumping and landing of countermovement jumps (CMJ) in Lion Dancers, with a comparison of non-dancers. Fifteen Lion Dancers and 20 non-dancers performed CMJs with and without holding a costume. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using three-dimensional motion capture and force plates. Holding the costume significantly decreased jumping performance, characterised by smaller jump height, longer jumping duration, reduced trunk and hip flexion angles, and smaller hip and ankle moments in the jumping phase. In addition, holding the costume significantly reduced trunk and hip flexion angles, reduced peak ground reaction force, and prolonged landing duration in the landing phase. Lion Dancers exhibited greater jumping performance through deeper squat depth, greater hip and knee flexion angles in the jumping phase. The findings help us better understand the lower limb biomechanics of Lion Dance performances. Training programmes combining lower-limb strength, trunk control, and object-handling skills to optimise performance and reduce injury risk in Lion Dance and similar dual-task sports are suggested.