MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS,

BUCHAREST DOCTORAL SCHOOL

PhD THESIS ABSTRACT

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE METHODOLOGY

OF SPORTS TRAINING IN ARGENTINE TANGO

Scientific advisor:
Prof. PhD. NEAMȚU MIRCEA

PhD student:
KICSI CSONGOR

BUCHAREST - 2023
Part I - Theoretical basis of the paper
Reasons for choosing the topic
As a professional dancer myself, starting at the age of 4, I have learned
different dance styles throughout my career. Since 2010, focusing on the Argentine
tango, I have noticed that this, compared to many other dance styles, whether
individual or couple dances, does not have an elaborate teaching-learning
methodology, or, for performance dancers, a training methodology. A training plan
can be developed by adapting it from other dance styles, while respecting and
maintaining the authentic elements of the latter.
The main rationale of the present study would be that, in the Argentine tango
literature, a training plan should exist dedicated to professional dancers oriented
towards motor performance.
Over the past two decades, the organizing and promoting Argentine tango
from a competitive point of view has become more and more important worldwide,
through national, international and world competitions, yet Romania has had a
quantitatively insufficient representation at these events to be able to place itself in
the hierarchy of countries with professional Argentine tango dancers. Most of the
time, tango is seen as an art form or a cultural activity, not treated as a sport based
on rigorous training.

Critical review of the relevant published literature, and contribution of the

thesis
The current literature lacks research on professional Argentine tango dancers
in terms of their coordination skills and level of physical, technical, tactical and
psychological training, as well as the approach of this dance as a competitive sport.
Nowadays this side is gaining momentum from a practical point of view, with
the emergence of more professional dancers and large-scale competitions at a global
level, although not scientifically, based on theoretical research, similar to other
sports and in particular to ballroom dancing.

The place of Argentine tango in the code of competitive dance styles

According to the official website of the International Dance Sport Federation,
the ten established ballroom dances are:
• Latin Category: Jive, Samba, Rumba, Cha-cha, Passo Doble
• Standard category: Viennese Waltz, Slow Waltz, Fox Trot, Quick Step, Tango1

1 Dance Styles, https://www.worlddancesport.org/About/Dance-Styles Accessed 19.04.2023 11:57

 According to the official website of the Romanian Federation of Ballroom
Dancing, two other dance styles were introduced, Breakdance and the Salsa and
Batchata division.
The study "Tango and the Ballroom Tango - Evolution and Transformation of
Argentine Tango" argues that the standard category ballroom tango was borrowed
from Argentine tango and adapted to the standards and requirements of ballroom
dancing as early as 1913.2
Considering that the first world championship was held in 2003, and then
became an annual phenomenon until nowadays, competitive standards went through
many changes and technical improvements according to the required regulations.
Improvisational social dance has taken on a much more elaborate and structured
competitive form than traditional leisure dance, and the choreographies have
become richer and more complex each year by taking over and merging different
torso movements, lifts and step combinations from other dance styles.
We can conclude that, after more than 20 years of competitions,
transformations and improvements, the dance is beginning to take on a defined form
and, in time, could be included in the competitive circle of dances, after a written
documentation of the rules and the Syllabus of Argentine tango. The term and the
Syllabus represent a list of basic patterns and actions that can be used in any
competition with a limited program. 3

Conclusions of Part I
In conclusion, from a cultural point of view, Argentine tango can be seen as
an elevated activity, situated between art and sport, which, from a motor perspective,
can contribute both to harmonious physical development and to the improvement of
motor skills, the acquisition of skills and technical skills specific to the dance, as
well as the development of certain psychological, educational, pedagogical, and
professional skills.
Knowledge of the morphological, functional, and psychological age-specific
characteristics of both teenagers and adults, provides a broader perspective and
vision for choosing the most effective training methods and means for improving
and optimizing the physical training and all other components of performing ability.
Thorough in-depth study and analysis of the components of performing ability can
generate a successful strategy in the training of Argentine tango competitive dancers.

2 Tango and Ballroom Tango - Evolution and Mutation of Argentine Tango,

https://www.ultimatetango.com/blog/argentine-tango-v-ballroom-tango Accessed 09.05.2023 14:49
3 WDSF Syllabus https://dancesport.app.box.com/s/wupgalki743cokrqbjap Accessed 19.04.2023 12:24
 As in all competitive sports, also for Argentine tango, a well-organized
training, led by a trained instructor or coach, with knowledge of the concepts and
characteristics of motor skills and sports training, ensures a high level of preparation
for professional dancers in their preparation for the upcoming championships.
Last but not least, based on the knowledge of the sports calendar, combined
with the basics of achieving fitness, it is possible to lay down the structures and
objectives of training, programming rigorous training planning, with the most
appropriate methods chosen by the coaches, suitable for each stage of training, as
well as the particularities presented by each individual dance couple.
Competitive training in teenagers and adults can be a disadvantage in
Argentine tango, as dancers have other priorities and interests in life, however, with
sufficient motivation and dedication, it is possible to achieve both athletic
performance and significant results in competitions.

Part II - Preliminary research on improving balance and pivoting technique in

Argentine tango dancers
Purpose and premises of the research
The general aim of this scientific research is to create a theoretical and
practical basis, but also a fixed point from which to start in order to optimise the
performance level of Argentine tango dancers.
The main aim is to create a training program to be applied on a group of young
dancers in order to increase the level of performance in their dance. This will
demonstrate, both scientifically and practically, that tango can be treated as a
performance sport, not only as a social dance or as a cultural activity.
This research work has the secondary aim of demonstrating the efficiency of
a new method of physical training, complementary to the classic Argentine tango
training, to be implemented by using the Turning Board training accessory, through
both individual and couple exercises. By applying the classical training program
together with the new complementary training method with the Turning Board, the
aim will be to develop balance, coordination and spatial orientation during turns in
young Argentine tango dancers.
The assumption is that by improving balance, posture, holding the dance
stance, and the pivoting technique, regardless of the patterns and sequences, one can
change the dance as a whole, as these form the basis of this dance.
Goals of the research
In terms of the goals of the intended research one can mention:
- Identifying the specific physical training factors that influence the
performance capacity in Argentine tango;
- Designing a performance-oriented training program, specific to Argentine
tango
Preliminary research hypotheses
Hypothesis 1. The applied training program ensures improved spatial
coordination and orientation.
Hypothesis 2. Application of the proposed training program leads to increased
static and dynamic balance indices.

Research methods
Research methods are tools which regulate actions and practical steps in
achieving the researcher's intended goals. In general, research methods have an
instrumental nature with an informative purpose, basing the research approach on
theoretical principles, and an action nature, with an interpretive purpose, focused on
putting the theories into practice.
The word 'method' means a way, a means, or a mode of exposition.
The following research methods were used to produce this progress report:
bibliographical method, experimental method, observation method, questionnaire
method, mathematical method, statistical method, graphical method.

Organization and conduct of research

The training and measurements of the preliminary research were carried out
in the Con Sabor Dance School in Bucharest, especially arranged for this activity,
including the essential components specific to the dance: floor, mirrors, audio
system, ballet bars, Turning Board.
Subjects attended twice a week training sessions, for two months. The
duration of the training session was 90 min, including general and specific warm-up
exercises and final stretching exercises.
All exercises in the training were specific to Argentine tango, with movements
characteristic to this dance, from head, torso and upper limb posture to steps,
sequences and dance patterns, through both individual and couple exercises.
From the macro-cycle of the whole study, the mid-cycle of the two months of
training in the preliminary research consisted of a preparatory period. The training
sessions in particular focused on increasing and perfecting posture and balance in
dancers.
The objectives of the trainings were largely focused on: harmonious
development of the dancers in training; designing a performance-oriented training
program specific to Argentine tango; increasing the physical training capacity to the
level required for international training in Argentine tango; harmonizing the
relations between the dance partners; improving spatial orientation, coordination and
posture during turns on the Turning Board.
The development and improvement of the physical abilities accounted for
50% , the technical-tactical for 40%, while the theoretical and psychological for
10%, divided into three micro-cycles, through the following sets/themes of specific
micro-cycle Argentine tango exercises:
1. Physical training
• Specific individual projection and balance exercises
• Specific individual exercises for torso rotation
• Specific individual exercises for the derivations of the sequence "Ocho
adelante & Ocho atras".
• Specific individual exercises for the sequence "Giros".
2. Technical training
• Specific exercises for walking with couple projections
• Specific couple exercises for the derivations of the sequence "Ocho
adelante & Ocho atras".
• Specific couple exercises for the sequence "Giros"
3. Tactical training
• Viewing of performances and championships
4. Theoretical and psychological training
• Viewing of performances and championships4

The mid-cycle is an intermediate structure, which can be completed over a 2

to 6 weeks period, consisting of several microcycles, training lessons.
For the mid-cycle preparatory period for competitive purposes, physical
training constituted 50% (10% general and 40% specific), 40% technical-tactical
training and 10% theoretical and psychological training.
The microcycle is a system of training lessons with a specific theme within a
mid-cycle.5

4 http://www.ccabaschet.ro/Licentiere_licenta_C.html Accessed: 04.04.2021 15:55

5 https://www.scritub.com/timp-liber/sport/PROGRAMAREA-ANTRENAMENTULUI-SP25576.php
Accessed: 09.05.2021 11:59
Research subjects
The subjects analyzed were all Romanian citizens from the Romanian
Argentine tango community, a group of 20 experienced dancers aged between 18 -
25 and 26 - 35, 18 - 25 constituting the youth category and 26 - 35 being young
adults.
Their dance experience varied from person to person. In this study, the dancers
formed dance couples, training without exchanging partners during practice.

Research content
Three types of subjective measurements were used as a means of assessing
the subjects analyzed, basically looking at static and dynamic balance in relation to
coordination, spatial orientation and lower limb suppleness:
1. Flamingo balance test
2. Y balance test
3. Turning Board Rotation Test
The last test, the Turning Board rotating test, is one invented and adapted for
Argentine tango dancers specifically for this paper, measuring both the subjects'
balance and their turning technique and spatial orientation. The test was carried out
on both legs three times, calculating an average of each type of measurement.
Subjects had to perform as many turns as possible with the free leg projected laterally
and posteriorly towards the base foot, and with the foot projected forward towards
the projected foot, without losing their balance, without changing their foot position
or dance position, without using the free leg for momentum or acceleration purposes,
and without transferring weight to the projected foot. Each turn was measured in
degrees, and subjects were barefoot.
This type of measurement was created because all three types of turns are
typical Argentine tango movements for both men and women in different patterns,
principles and combinations of steps: aguja, adornos, bandera, boleo, calesita,
colgada, gancho, enrosque, lapiz, ocho adelante, ocho atras, ocho cortado, planeo,
variaciones, etc. The Turning Board is a small, easily portable and very inexpensive
accessory for any dancer to purchase.
The measurements were conducted at the Con Sabor dance school in
Bucharest.

Conclusions of Part II
Based on the results obtained from the three types of measurements, both
hypotheses of the preliminary research were confirmed and demonstrated.
 After applying the training program developed for this research study, and
according to the results gained from the Flamingo and Y Balance Test, the dancers
showed improvements in terms of balance, tone and muscle elasticity in the lower
limbs and torso.
The Turning Board Rotation Test also reported improvements in posture,
balance, coordination and spatial orientation at both the individual and group levels.
Last but not least, improvements can be observed by applying the classical
training program together with the new complementary training method using the
Turning Board, both at individual and group level, resulting in improvements in
terms of balance, coordination and spatial orientation during turns in young
Argentine tango dancers.
It is thus demonstrated that special Argentine tango exercises can be created
and adapted for the lower limbs with the Turning Board, and that various creative
accessories can be used for the upper limbs, aiming at diversification and
improvement: balloons, sticks, gymnastic circles, elastic fitness bands, ankle and
wrist weights, etc. Diversification of training and the principle of using different
accessories and creative equipment leads to an improved technical level, motivation
and involvement of the dancers, a break in monotony and feedback in real time.

Part III - Increasing coordination skills and performance level in young

Argentine tango dancers
Purpose and premises of the research
The aim of the research is to verify the efficiency of an annual training plan
aimed at increasing the preparedness of dancers in this style, in order to participate
in high-level national and international sporting competitions.
The working assumption is that the application of a training plan will lead to
an increase in the performance level and to improvements in terms of physical effort
capacity by developing all motor qualities - speed, skill, strength, endurance,
suppleness - as well as the artistic qualities involved - musicality, artistic
expressiveness, body expressiveness, stage appearance - together with coordinative
capacities, counting spatial-temporal orientation, static and dynamic balance.

Research objectives
In terms of the objectives of the intended research we can mention:
− Identifying the effects of a performance-oriented Argentine tango-specific
training program, with respect to static and dynamic body balance, spatial
orientation, coordination and posture during turns on the Turning Board;
 − Validation of tests to assess the skills needed to practice Argentine tango at a
high performance level.

Research hypotheses
Hypothesis 1. Applying the proposed training plan ensures the improvement
of pivoting and rotation technique.
Hypothesis 2. Applying the proposed training plan in the training of dancers
will contribute to the improvement of technical performance and implicitly of static
and dynamic balance in different body positions.
Hypothesis 3. Applying the training plan contributes to increasing the strength
of lower limbs, necessary for performance in Argentine tango.

Organizing and conducting the research

The training and measurements of the preliminary research were carried out
in the Con Sabor Dance School in Bucharest, especially arranged for this activity,
including the essential components specific to the dance: floor, mirrors, audio
system, ballet bars, Turning Board.
Subjects attended twice a week training sessions for two months. The duration
of the training session was 90 min, including general and specific warm-up exercises
and final stretching exercises.
All exercises in the training were specific to Argentine tango, with movements
characteristic to this dance, from head, torso and upper limb posture to steps,
sequences and dance patterns, through both individual and couple exercises.
The macrocycle is a long period during which the ability to perform at the
highest level is trained for competitive purposes.6
The macro-cycle is a long period during which the ability to perform at the
highest level is trained with a competitive aim.
The macrocycle of the eight months of training in the preliminary and actual
research consisted of a basic training phase, two specific training phases with a short
transition period in between, and finally a pre-competitive phase.
The trainings, in particular, focused on increasing coordination skills and
static and dynamic balance, together with the refinement of basic and performance
techniques in the dancers. The training preparation factors focused largely on the
development and improvement of physical and technical capabilities and to a lesser

6 https://www.academia.edu/12131549/METODE_%C5%9EI_TEHNICI_DE_CERCETARE Accesat:
01.04.2021 14:21
extent on tactical, artistic and psychological capabilities throughout the annual plan.
Specific Argentine tango exercise sets/themes were followed by microcycles7 :
• General physical training
• Physical training specific to Argentine tango
• Specific individual projection and balance exercises
• Specific individual exercises for torso rotation
• Specific individual exercises for derivations of the sequence "Ocho
adelante & Ocho atras"
• Specific individual exercises for the sequence ”Giros”
• Specific individual Argentine tango exercises on the "Turning Board"
• Specific Argentine tango couple exercises on the "Turning Board"
• Specific walking exercises with couple projections
• Specific couple exercises for derivations of the sequence "Ocho adelante
& Ocho atras"
• Specific couple exercises for the sequence ”Giros”
• Individual and couple exercises "Walking"
• Individual and couple exercises "Ocho adelante & Ocho atras" on double
time
• Giros con sacadas
• Giros con Lapiz y Enrosque / Calesita / Aguja
• Diagonal steps and sequences
• Boleos
• Ganchos
• Linear Giros and Ganchos
• Volcadas
• Colgadas
• Views of performances and championships 8

The majority of the trainings in each mid-cycle contained individual exercises

that worked in different ways on static and dynamic balance, corresponding to the
Flamingo, Y and Turning Board balance tests.
For example, in the first mid-cycle there were exercises and movements
specific to the Argentine Tango, which were very similar to the Y balance test.
The second, third and last mid-cycles contained exercises and body
movements very similar to the Turning Board balance test.

7 https://www.rasfoiesc.com/hobby/sport/PREGATIREA-FIZICA-ANTRENAMENT-71.php Accessed:
07.12.2021 10:53
8 http://www.ccabaschet.ro/Licentiere_licenta_C.html Accessed: 04.04.2021 15:55
 The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th mid-cycles contained many body postures and poses
similar to the Flamingo balance test.
The OptoJump test adaptations tracked lower limb propulsion force, the level
of the centre of gravity, and their rhythm during side jumps (Side Jumps, 15
seconds). This can be considered the closest evaluation of the side step in Argentine
tango, which is one of the most used movements in this dance. Most patterns and
sequences begin and/or end either in a static position in balance (corresponding to
the Flamingo and/or Y balance tests) or in a side step.
Furthermore, for a second assessment of lower limb strength using the
OptoJump machine, the 3 consecutive high jumps test was used, which tracked lower
limb propulsion force, the level of the center of gravity, and their rhythm, as in
Argentine tango there are short sequences or combinations of steps with an explosive
touch. These moments are performed after a pause or slower preparation in order to
create contrasts.
Specifically, the exercises in mid-cycles one, three and eight were the closest
to the OptoJump evaluations.
The technical tests consist of an accumulation of sequences and patterns in
the form of mini-choreographies, which implicitly include all mid-cycles. In each
training lesson the dancers worked a little on all the assessment criteria: artistic
expressiveness, musicality, timing and coordination, body constancy in movement,
lines, posture, technique, timing, dynamics.

Content of the research/intervention plan

Three types of subjective measurements were used to assess the subjects
analyzed, basically following static balance (Flamingo Balance Test), dynamic
balance in relation to coordination and suppleness of the lower limbs (Y Balance
Test), turning and pivoting technique in relation to spatial orientation and posture
(Turning Board Rotation Test). In addition to the subjective assessments, two
objective assessments were used with the OptoJump and Minispir Light apparatus.
With the OptoJump apparatus the following were monitored: dynamic balance and
coordination, vertical and lateral propulsion force. The Minispir Light was used to
monitor the lung capacitiy of the dancers in the experimental group.

Research subjects
The subjects analyzed were all Romanian citizens from the Romanian
Argentine tango community, a group of 20 experienced dancers aged between 18 -
25 and 26 - 35, 18 - 25 constituting the youth category and 26 - 35 being young
adults.
 Their dance experience varied from person to person. In this study, the dancers
formed dance couples, training without exchanging partners during practice.

Conclusions of Part III

The application of the research design and measurements (initial, intermediate
and final), regarding the three hypotheses investigated conclude, based on the results
obtained, that all hypotheses were confirmed and demonstrated by a large number
of statistically significant improvements.
The first hypothesis is confirmed: by applying the suggested training plan,
through classical Argentine tango training, together with the new complementary
training method using Turning Board, both at individual and group level results in
significant improvements in terms of balance, coordination and spatial orientation
during turns in young Argentine tango dancers. Following exercises specifically
adapted to Argentine tango and applied to the group as a complementary method
within classical training, the Turning Board training accessory demonstrates
significant efficiency and progress both in terms of technique and dynamic balance,
coordination and spatial orientation.
The second hypothesis is confirmed: following the application of the training
plan developed for this research paper, and according to the results derived from the
Flamingo and Y balance tests, the dancers showed significant improvements in
terms of static and dynamic balance, posture, technique, tone and muscle elasticity
in the lower limbs and torso.
The second hypothesis, referring to the improvement of coordination skills
and technical performance levels following the application of the suggested sports
training plan, is confirmed, with all dancers showing a significant increase in terms
of: artistic expressiveness, musicality, timing and coordination, body constancy in
movement, lines, posture, technique, timing, dynamics.
In order to objectively demonstrate the efficiency of the training plan, together
with the increase of the coordinative abilities and performance level in young
Argentine tango dancers, all subjects were examined with the OptoJump apparatus,
through two different exercises, following:
• their propulsive force;
• maintaining of rhythm of execution;
• their spatial orientation;
• dynamic balance;
• lower limb strength;
• detente;
• rhythm.
 The third hypothesis is confirmed by significant improvements in the lower
limbs, required for Argentine tango performance, following the OptoJump results..

All these aspects contribute equally to the improvement of the coordination

skills and the technical level of dancing. Argentine Tango is a very complex dance,
with many asymmetrical movements, requiring ambidexterity, auditory-visual
coordination, musicality, spatial-temporal orientation, synchronization with the
partner, response and execution speed, and the development of coordination at both
individual and couple level.
Based on the statistical values obtained from the spirometry measurements, it
can be demonstrated that, after applying the training project, between the initial and
final measurements, even though the dancers experienced improvements from a
respiratory point of view, from a statistical point of view the difference in values did
not represent a significant increase, as the improvisational Argentine tango dancers
predominantly showed parameters specific to a physical activity with effort in the
aerobic regime.
Last but not least, just as special Argentine tango exercises can be created and
adapted for the lower limbs with the Turning Board, various creative accessories can
also be used for the upper limbs, in order to diversify and improve them: balloons,
sticks, gymnastic circles, elastic fitness bands, ankle and wrist weights, etc.
Diversification of training and the principle of using different accessories and
creative equipment leads to an improved technical level, motivation and
involvement of the dancers, a break in monotony and feedback in real time.
The general conclusion of this scientific research is, that Argentine tango is a
sport activity and can be considered a branch of competitive high performance
sports, if the dancers are adequately trained following a proper sport training plan.

Elements of originality, practical use of the results of the research itself and
dissemination of the results
There is currently no study or book that addresses and describes a
periodization of sports training in Argentine tango, as well as researches professional
dancers of this dance.
The originality of the paper belongs entirely to the author, in terms of
contribution, ideas, training plan and exercises specifically adapted to Argentine
tango, using the Turning Board training accessory as a means of training.
The practical value lies both in the visible efficiency of the training plan, from
a physical point of view in the dancers and theoretically in terms of results, and in
providing the national and international Argentine tango community with a basis and
a starting point in approaching this dance as a competitive sport, by:
 • motivating as many young people as possible to choose this dance
• promoting and organizing as many Argentine tango competitions as possible
in Romania
• introducing Argentine tango into a legitimate dance federation and/or
creating a federation dedicated to this dance
• submitting and publishing the general theoretical and practical bases for this
dance in Romanian
• opening as many schools as possible in this field of performance
• supporting seminars and training courses for dancers, coaches,
choreographers and referees.

Recognition
This research was funded by the European Social Fund through the HUMAN
CAPITAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME 2014-2020, Programme for increasing
performance and innovation in doctoral and postdoctoral research of excellence-
PROINVENT, agreement no. 62487/3 June 2022- codeSMIS:153299.

Bibliography
Turcu, I. (2007) Research Methodology in Physical Education and Sport, Ed.
Transilvania University of Brasov; 45-111

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WDSF Syllabus https://dancesport.app.box.com/s/wupgalki743cokrqbjap Accessed
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