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JT-2019-004 TangoGait

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DOI: 10.22713/JT2019004

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Review Article Journal of Tango, Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019, pp.33~47 ISSN 2636-1663 02

Journal of Tango
Official Journal of Korea Tango Therapy Association (KTTA) 01
Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:
Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)

Youngsoon Koh1, Yoonchul Hur2**, Ic Soo Kim3, Chang Won Ha4, Geunwoong Noh5*
1. Medical Tango, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
2. Tango School, Seoul
3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Cheju Halla General Hospital
4. Department of Pathology, Cheju Halla General Hospital
5. Allergy and Clinical Immunology Center, Cheju Halla General Hospital, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Korea
* Corresponding author: Geunwoong Noh, Department of Allergy, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Center, Cheju Halla General Hospital, Doreongno
65, Jeju-si Jeju Special Self-Governing Province 63127, Korea, Tel: +82-64-740-5064; Fax: +82-64-743-3110; E-mail: admyth@naver.com
** Co-corresponding author: Yoonchul Hur, Tangoschool, Tae Jeon B/D B1, Donggyo-ro 210, Mapo-gu, Seoul,. Korea 06524 Korea.
TEL:+82-70-8837-0548 e-mail: neohan3@hanmail.net

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Argentine tango (tango) has been applied therapeutically in recent decades for neurologic diseases, Tango, Tango Gait,
including Parkinson’s disease. Recently, the basic terminology of tango was defined, and the most Gait, Tango therapy,
Basic Tango Element
simple and basic tango elements were classified for therapeutic purposes. Subsequently, the tango
stance and posture were analysed systemically according to their functional anatomical descriptions,
and the characteristics of tango gait were thus ascertained. Analysis was performed in a well-equipped
ACCEPTANCE INFO
facility appropriate for tango lessons and with two qualified tango masters and two tango experts. The
Received Apr 27, 2019
following aspects of the tango gait associated with the purpose of movement were characterized: the
Accepted May 15, 2019
single-limb support and dual-limb support of body weight; the variability of direction of movement;
10.22713/JT2019004
the gait cycle in normal gait and the gait cycle unit in tango gait; the difference in the way of walking;
the asymmetric shape of the Wt-gaining limb and Wt-losing limb; the vertical and side-to-side
displacement of centre of mass (CoM); the step width; the active vs passive movements; the absence
of hand swing and kick-off; the concurrence of the body axis, Wt axis and the vertical fixation of the
body axis; the difference in the principle of step; the single-limb stance duration and dual-limb support
duration; the variation in gait velocity; and the movement known as adorno. Tango therapy effects
similar to the effects of running, squatting and climbing may be obtained, even at a safe, slow velocity.
From a medical viewpoint, tango has therapeutic effects on the muscular strengthening of posture and
gait. Consequently, the posture, gait, balancing, mobility, and the rigidity of the body are possibly
improved. Tango therapy provides good modality in those patients whose mobility is not favourable,
such as those with neurologic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, and it can promote the health of
older people. Additionally, tango possibly strengthens the core muscles and can be applied for urinary
inconstancy. More investigation may be needed.

1. Introduction those with neurologic disease, including Parkinson’s

disease [3-8].
Tango is constituted with many unique and complicated
Argentine tango (tango) has been applied therapeutically
figures and movements [9]. Now, the analysis of basic
in recent decades [1-2]. Tango is well-known for its
elements of tango movements in detail is necessary for
benefits in the improvement of balancing and gaits in

33
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)
the systemic therapeutic application because all complicated
movement and figures in tango are the result of the
combination of the basic elements [10]. Recently, the
basic terminology of tango was defined for academic
and therapeutic purposes [11]. The most simple and
basic tango elements were also classified on a skeleton
of tango for tango therapy [9].
The capabilities of balance and gait are the principal
evaluation points in patients with neurologic disease,
such as those with Parkinson’s disease. The gait, in
addition to posture and stance, is a very important factor
in the rehabilitation of patients with neurologic disease,
including Parkinson’s disease [12].
The tango stance and posture as the first basic
tango element were analysed systemically through the
functional anatomical description [13]. In the report,
the stance and posture in tango was based on the
healthy normal posture and stance. Moreover, the use
of stance and posture in tango is the way to strengthen
the muscles that are related to the stance and posture.
The major rehabilitation points in Parkinson’s
disease have been represented by balance and mobility,
including gait, and seek to maintain normal healthy
postures, stance and gait [12]. Therefore, in this report,
the functional anatomical characteristics of the tango
gait were analysed, and the rationale for the benefits of
the tango gait for the rehabilitation of those with
neurologic disease, such as Parkinson’s disease, is
suggested. Through these results, the tango gait, in
combination with tango posture and stance, may be
applied systemically in the rehabilitation of patients
with neurologic disease on the basis of academics.
Moreover, through this article, the absolute necessary
basic elements of tango were analysed for the
therapeutic application of tango.
2. Methods of Analysis
1) Setting for the analysis of tango gait
The Tango School (Tango Studio in Seoul, Korea)
was used for the functional anatomical analysis of the
tango gait. The Tango School is a facility which is
well equipped, with wood floors and controls for
proper temperature and humidity, for tango lessons and
for the analysis of tango movement.
2) Participants
34 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019
As was the case in the previous report, the participants
included two qualified tango masters and two tango
experts [13]. Because it is very important to define the
standard of the tango walk, a tango master’s
description and explanation is absolutely important and
requisite to defining the standard motion.
An expert in tango medicine and a medical doctor
who also had a relevant career in tango conducted an
analysis of the tango gait and described it exactly and
precisely. Through this approach, the medical analysis
of tango gait was used to bridge the knowledge gap
between the descriptions of tango and medicine.
3) Deduction of results from the analysis
of tango posture and stance
The same analysis methods used in the previous
reports were used [13], and the tango masters and
tango experts first addressed and explained concepts,
the motion and the way of movement as they normally
did during tango lessons. The tango medicine expert
and medical doctor translated these explanations with
detailed observation into the functional anatomical
description. The tango masters and tango experts
demonstrated the description. The results were obtained
with the consensus of all participants (tango masters,
tango experts, tango medicine expert and medical
doctor).
3. Results
Ⅰ. Terminology
⦁Wt-gaining limb: A limb which is receiving body
weight to become the limb-bearing the weight
⦁Wt-losing limb: A limb which is losing the body
weight and becoming a freely moving limb
⦁Gait cycle unit: The basic unit of the tango gait
that is composed of a step and composed of two
steps when normal
⦁Weight (Wt) acceptance (loading) point: The point
of weight is loaded first on the sole regardless of
the contact
⦁Preloading period of gait cycle: The period
between the mid-stance to just beginning of
loading period in the gait cycle
⦁Centre of Mass (CoM): The centre of the body
 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
mass relative to the weight-bearing axis
⦁Single-limb support: Supporting the body weight
with a single limb
⦁Dual limb support: Supporting the body weight
with both limbs
⦁Body Axis: Imaginary line from the top of the
head to the coccyx
⦁Weight (Wt) Axis: Imaginary body line of the
gravity which constitutes the axis of body weight
physically
Ⅱ. Characteristics of the tango
gait
1) The purpose of the movement
The purpose of the tango gait is to move the weight
axis from one limb to the other limb stably with the
exact transfer while signalling the weight movement to
the partner for the synchronized movement of the
weight axis from one limb to the other limb by the
partner, whereas the purpose of the normal gait is just
the forward advance or stop with the most efficient
energy consumption.
Tango is defined as the even weight axis movement
from one limb to the other limb, according to the beat
of the music.
2) Single-limb support, and dual-limb support
of the body weight
Normally, one mainly supports their body weight
with both lower limbs together (dual-limb support).
Even during gaiting, one tends to support the body
weight with both lower limbs. However, in tango,
single-limb support is the basic state because the free
limb should be ready to move in any directions.
3) Variability in direction of movement
Human beings move mainly forward although
sometimes they move sideways or backwards. However,
the direction of movement is always variable. In tango,
one moves forward, backward, side-to-side, and sometimes
rotates, always freely.
4) Gait cycle in normal gait and gait cycle
unit in the tango gait
Normal gait mainly advances the body forward,
and the gait cycle of the normal gait consists of two
steps. However, due to the variable direction of
movement in the tango step by step, one limb should
be able to move in any direction other than forward.
Therefore, the gait cycle of the normal gait is not
proper to apply in the tango gait, and therefore, the
gait cycle unit is introduced for the tango gait. A gait
cycle unit has one step that is different from the two
steps in the normal gait cycle.
5) Difference in the way of walking
The tango gait is based on the normal gait and to
accomplish the purpose of the tango dance, a
characteristic gait is used. A preloading period occurs
with the tango gait, which is not important and is
absent in the normal gait. The preloading period
consists of a signaling phase and landing phase.
During the sinaling phase, the leader changes the Wt
axis slightly without movement of the free limb. and
the Wt axis moves during the landing phase and meets
the landing point of the foot at the end of the landing
phase.
During the loading phase, the usage of the joint of
the lower limb is the extension of the Wt-losing limb
and the flexion of the Wt-gaining limb during the
loading period.
The important point during movement is to keep
the upright tango posture and tango stance during all
processes and along the horizontal vector of
movement. Additionally, the stability of the Wt limb is
very important.
6) Asymmetric shape of the Wt-gaining
limb and Wt-losing limb
In the normal gait, the shape of the walk between
the Wt-gaining limb and Wt-losing limb is similar
except for the difference which is produced from the
anatomical structure. Therefore, the sequence shape of
Wt gaining and Wt-losing is symmetrical.
However, although the gait is unique in tango, it is
not abnormal, and it is not specifically present only in
the tango. The way the gait appears with tango is
similar to the way gait differs in the situation of
35
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)
running or other normal conditions. However, in the
tango gait, the shape of the walk in the Wt-gaining
limb and Wt-losing limb is different and asymmetric.
7) Vertical and side-to-side displacement
of the centre of mass (CoM)
In the normal gait, vertical and side-to-side
displacements of the centre of mass (CoM) are normally
present. However, the omission, or at least a reduction
to nearly 0 of both vertical displacement and side-to-side
displacements of the CoM is recommended in tango.
These displacements are reduced as one does the tango
more skilfully. Therefore, in the tango master, these
displacements can approach 0.
8) Step width
Along with the side-to-side displacement of CoM
in the normal gait, the step width (base of gait) is
present as 2.5 cm 5 cm. However, in tango, the step
width is recommended to be zero.
9) Active vs passive movements
In the normal gait, one walks functionally and
anatomically with the best energy efficiency. One
cannot walk without muscular contraction with energy
use. However, human beings are used to implementing
ways to reduce the energy use. So, as many passive
physical movements as possible were used.
However, in tango, for many reasons, the best
energy efficiency is not important. Thus, in tango, the
main way of walking represents the active movements.
10) Hand swing and kick-off
Hand swing and kick-off are complementary to
walking with a normal gait. However, in tango, the hand
swing is absent because the participants are holding
hands and maintaining a holding frame constantly
during the dance. Although a strong kick-off destroys
the intended smooth movements in tango, the effects
of the kick-off are reduced. In tango, one walks mostly
with their active muscular strength.
36 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019
11) Concurrence of body axis and Wt axis
and the vertical fixation of the body axis
In normal walking or running, one sometimes
bends the upper body to the front. The body axis and
Wt axis is not always consistent and will show a
difference of angle between the body axis and the Wt
axis in the normal gait variably, according to the
conditions.
However, the body axis and Wt axis is consistent
in the most conditions in tango except in the several
figures, such as the bolcada and colcada.
12) Different principles of stepping
Remarkable differences exist between stepping in
the normal gait and the tango gait. These differences
are the product of differences between the major
purpose of the normal gait and the tango gait.
In the normal gait, the only purpose of stepping is
to advance the body with the best energy efficiency,
and in the tango gait, the most important purpose of
the gait is to move the body weight axis from the
Wt-losing limb to the Wt-gaining limb stably and
smoothly. Therefore, the stable transfer of the Wt axis
from one limb to the other limb is the most important
thing in the tango gait.
In the tango gait, one pursues the plane step as
much as possible, whereas with the normal gait, one
uses the law of inertia. The advancement of the body
when using inertia during stepping in the normal gait
is different from that advancement that occurs without
the use of inertia in the tango gait. Thus, the stepping
with the normal gait appears to be round in comparison
with the plane stepping in the tango gait.
13) Single-limb stance duration and
dual-limb support duration
The normal gait consists of the single-limb stance
and double-limb support duration. One tends to stand
with double-limb support, when possible. However,
inevitably, one will exhibit a single-limb stance during
the normal gait.
However, in tango, the most common stance is the
single-limb stance due to the main purpose of the
tango gait. One limb must always be ready to move
according to the intention of the leader and the lead
provided to the follower.
 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
14) Variation in gait velocity
In the normal gait, the velocity of the gait is even,
and no abrupt change occurs in the gait velocity.
However, the velocity of the gait is variable according
to the intention or the music beat or artistry of the
tango.
15) Adorno
In the normal gait, people move according to the
test energy efficiency. However, in the tango, they
move many different ways regardless of the energy
efficiency. In the tango, the free limb moves not only
in one direction as with the normal gait, but instead,
the movement of the free limb is variable and sometimes
the free limb makes an artistic beautiful figure and
movement occurs a decorative motion as seen in the
unique tango movement referred to as ‘adorno’.
4. Discussion
Ⅰ. Characteristics of the tango gait
The tango gait is based on the normal gait by
nature. Tango was born spontaneously and developed
from natural movements. To understand the medical
characteristics of the tango gait and apply tango
elements to therapy, and understanding of the
functional anatomical characteristics of the normal gait
is absolute.
1) The purpose of gait in tango gait and
normal gait
Gait (walking) is defined as the activity which
aims for forward movement using the joints and
muscles of the lower limbs [14]. Humans just want to
use the minimal energy for gait.
Tango is dancing with a partner with synchronized
movements according to the intention of the leader and
the response of the follower to signs delivered from
the leader. First, in tango, one can move in any
direction (forward, backward, side-by-side, or to turn,
etc) (Table 1). Second, because of the purpose of
tango [13], the most important aim of the gait in tango
is the stable weight support during movement.
Moreover, the tango gait is synchronized walk with a
partner. This is accomplished by exchange the signs
produced by the leader, which are delivered to and
received by the follower. Third, the other important
point is for the leader to deliver and for the follower
to receive signs concerning the direction and the
degree of momentum (vector) to be delivered to the
partner simultaneously for synchronized walking. From
these differences in the aims of the walk, many
characteristics of the tango gait have been determined.
Table 1. Purpose of the tango gait and the normal gait
Tango is a dance, and the purpose of tango gait is
to move the axis of weight from one limb to the other
limb stably. The important point is stability of weight
support in every step, whereas the purpose of the
normal gait is just the forward advance or stop with
the best energy efficiency. So, tango can be defined as
the weight axis movement that occurs evenly from one
limb to the other limb according to the beat of the
music.
2) Single-limb support and dual-limb support
of the body weight
In the normal gait, one mainly depends on dual-limb
support for convenience. One does not typically rely
on single-limb weight support. During the normal gait,
single-limb support occurred transiently but kinematically,
using the law of inertia.
However, in tango, the single-limb support is the
basic state because the free limb should be ready to
move in any direction, according to the music and the
synchronized movement between the leader and follower.
To accomplish the synchronization of movement from
the lead of the leader, the free limb of the leader
moves according to his intention, and the follower is
ready to move according to the leader’s intention. So,
the free limb of the leader and follower should be
ready to move, and the other weight supporting the
limb should keep the body weight stable.
In the normal dual-limb support, body weight is
37
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)

dispersed to the front and back foot through the ankle.
Based on the anteroposterior (AP) axis of the foot,
which occurs along the line from the centre of the
calcaneus bone (heel) through the ball to the second
toe, the slim oval to slim triangle provides the
weighted support (Fig. 1) [15].
⦁Medical aspect
Single-limb support should bear a double-weight
load. Therefore, the muscular strengthening should
occur in tango in which one mainly stands with the
single-limb support during the dancing.
Single-limb support may strengthen the core
muscles, including the pelvic floor muscles, because
of the inevitable change of weight supporting
anteroposterior axis of foot to the medial side.
Single-limb support might improve disease related
with medial side muscles and core muscles, such
as pelvic floor muscles, for functional urinary
inconsistency and sexual problems.

3) Variability of direction of movement

According to the defined purpose, the normal gait
aims mainly for movement in a forward direction.
Human beings move mainly forwardly, although
sometimes movement occurs in a sideways direction or
backward, if necessary. However, in tango, due to the
characteristics of the dance, the direction of movement
is always variable, and one moves forward, backward,
side-to-side, and sometimes involves rotating randomly
Figure 1. Weight bearing style in single-limb support vs
and freely (Fig 2).
dual-limb support. A, In dual-limb support, one bear the body
weight with two limbs. The anteroposterior (AP) axis of foot is
along the line from the centre of the calcaneus bone (heel)
through the ball to the second toe, and a narrow oval or slim
triangle is formed by the weight bearing part. B, By the foot
print analysis of the normal subject, the lateral arch is strongly
pressed as red color by dual limb support. C, In the single-limb
support, a narrow quadrangle indicates the thick line of the
weight supporting surface, which is quite narrow compared to
that in the dual-limb support. Additionally, due to the anatomical
structure, the weight-supporting axis is directed medially to the
AP axis of the foot. D, By the foot print analysis of the tango
master, the medial bowl and heal is strongly pressed as red
color precisely only by the single limb support.

In the single-limb support, one tends to stand more

medially to the AP axis of foot. The single-limb
support in the tango needs double strength to bear the
body weight compared to the double-limb support.
Especially, the strength of the medial-side support is Figure 2. A, In the normal gait, a human will move mainly in a
forward direction, and if necessary sideways or backwards. B,
needed in the single-limb support. For the medial- side Tango is a dance. Therefore, one moves in any direction and can
strength, the core muscles include the pelvic floor even move the free limb across the Wt limb.
muscles, as well as the medial side muscle in the
pelvis and lower limbs. Therefore, the single-limb ⦁Medical aspect
stance may be beneficial to strengthening the medial
In the tango gait, more muscular strength for
side muscles, as well as the core muscles, such as
stable Wt support by the Wt limb is necessary to
pelvic floor muscles. This may be therapeutically
move the free limb in any direction, freely and
effective for functional urinary inconsistency and
stably. This is the why just dancing the tango has
improving the sexual function.

38 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019

 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
the effect of exercise.
4) Gait cycle in normal gait and gait
cycle unit in tango gait
The purpose of gait is different between the normal
gait and tango gait, and the definition, constitution and
description of the gait cycle is different between the
normal gait and the tango gait.
⦁Number of steps of gait cycle in the normal gait
and tango gait
The gait cycle of the normal gait consists of two
steps [16]. In tango, the direction of movement is not
determined after a step, whereas it is always forward
or stopping in the normal gait. The gait cycle of the
normal gait is not properly applicable to the tango gait.
The gait cycle unit is defined for the tango, which is
one step in the tango.
⦁Beginning and end of a gait cycle in the normal
gait and the tango gait
The beginning of a gait cycle is the heel contact
and the end of the gait cycle is the just before the heel
contact of the same foot [16]. In tango, standing
stably, while bearing weight, is the middle of all
movements. Therefore, the stable standing point is the
beginning of the gait cycle unit in tango. In addition,
the stable standing point after movement by one step
is the end of the gait cycle unit of tango.
⦁Difference in the presence of the swing phase in
the normal gait and the tango gait
According to the hand swing during walking, the
gait cycle of the normal gait consists of the stance
phase (60%) and swing phase (40%) [16]. In tango,
both hands are held to make a frame firmly, so a
swing phase is not present.
Muscular involvement in the normal gait mainly
includes the erector spinae of L3-L4 levels, rectus
abdominis, gluteus maximus, iliopsoas, sartorius,
gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, tensor fascia larta,
adductor magnus and adductor longus [15].
The hip joint, knee joint and ankle joint play a
primary role at each phase in the cycle of the normal
gait, and the joint involvement is very complex [16].
5) Difference in the way of walking
In the normal gait, walking occurs in a natural and
convenient manner. Although the tango gait is based
on the normal gait, to accomplish the purpose of the
dance, one must walk in characteristic ways. However,
the tango gait is also based on the natural movement
of the body, and unique characteristics are also part of
the tango gait. The unique way of tango gait is
performed for the reduction of the vertical
displacement of CoM and the linear beautiful line of
lower limb for the artistic purpose.
◆ Presence of preloading period
In the normal gait, the gait cycle begins with the
initial heel contact of the free limb [16]. Weight
loading begins at this point to 10% of the gait cycle,
at which point, the toes of the Wt-losing limb take off
and Wt is completely transferred to the Wt-gaining
limb. The period from the mid-stance (30% or 80%)
to the initial contact (0% or 50%) is not important in
the normal gait. During this period dual-limb support
is occurring.
However, the period from the mid-stance to the
initial contact is also important in tango. In tango, in
the early signalling phase of the preloading period,
only the body moves to produce a tiny torque in a
forward direction, without the movement of limb
(Table 2).
Table 2. The processes of tango gait.
Then, the body and the lower limb move together
and as a result, the body axis and the initial contact
point come together. Then, the body moves forward
more on the basis of plantar surface as a column. The
period between the mid-stance and the initial contact
point is defined as the preloading period. This period
consists of the signaling phase, in which only the
upper body (frame) gives the forward torque (forward
lead), and the landing phase, in which foot meets the
initial contact with the ground. Especially during the
39
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)
landing phase, the upper body and free limb move
together and meet simultaneously at the initial contact
point on the ground, which is the initial point of the
weight loading (Fig. 3). In the signalling phase of the
preloading period, the follower also receives the signal
of the leader to move without the movement of limb.
Figure 3. Preloading period in the tango gait. The preloading
period is from the mid-stance to the initial contact. This period
consisted of the signaling phase, in which only the upper body
(frame) gives the forward torque (forward lead), and the landing
phase, in which the foot makes the initial contact with the ground.
Especially during the landing phase, the upper body and free limb
move together and meet simultaneously at the initial contact point
on the ground, which is the initial point of weight loading.
In the normal gait, at the point of initial contact
(0% of the normal gait cycle), the free limb is already
positioned ahead of the body [16]. Namely, the body
axis lies behind the loading point and the body axis,
and the loading points of the foot are not collinear.
In the tango gait, during the preloading period, the
body and lower limbs move together and meet at the
initial contact point. Therefore, the body axis and initial
contact point is collinear, and the resultant movement
of the weight (Wt axis) is always concurrent with the
movement of the line from body axis to the Wt
supporting point (Wt Axis). Furthermore, the body axis
is always collinear with the Wt axis during walking.
◆ Extension of the Wt-losing limb and flexion
of Wt-gaining limb during the loading period
Once the foot has landed on the ground, the weight
acceptance begins in this loading phase. In this period,
weight is transferred from the Wt limb (Wt-losing limb)
40 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019
to the free limb (Wt-gaining limb). With the advance
of the body axis, the Wt-losing limb possibly undergoes
straight extension (Fig. 4). This motion pushes the
ground softly using a slight anti-torque movement. The
Wt-gaining limb becomes flexed during the advance of
the body axis. The extension of the Wt-losing limb
and the flexion of the Wt-gaining limb during the
loading period make the upper body advance forward
with a reduction or elimination of vertical displacement.
Figure 4. Forward walking in the tango. From the initial contact
(at the weight-loading point) to mid-stance, after the foot has
landed on the ground, the weight acceptance begins. With the
advance of the body axis, the Wt-losing limb extends, possibly
straight, and the Wt-gaining limb becomes flexed during the
advance of the body axis. The upper body should keep the correct
upright posture of tango. Resultantly, the body advances forward
with a reduction or elimination of the vertical displacement.
⦁Medical aspect
During all phases of the tango gait, the knee
flexion is the basic stance method. During the
tango gait, one extends and flexes the knee, which
is accompanied by the flexion of hip joint and the
dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. This is the same
with squatting. The tango gait is similar to
repetitive squatting.
The mechanisms of the flexion of the Wt-gaining
limb and extension of the Wt-losing limb in the
tango gait resemble climbing, as if one is climbing
up from the ground. The tango gait shows climbing
effects by just walking in the tango gait.
 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
◆ Keeping the upright tango posture and tango
stance during all processes and the horizontal
vector of movement
Basically, tango posture should be maintained
during the tango gait (Fig. 5). In tango, one should
keep the alignment of the upper body with the proper
lumbar lordosis [13]. The knee is flexed for the tango
stance to eliminate or reduce the vertical displacement
of the centre of mass (CoM). The flexion of the knee
in this posture, the hip joint flexion and the
dorsiflexion of ankle are followed naturally. To keep
this tango posture stance, the Wt-gaining limb has to
be flexed and the Wt-losing limb must become extended
as much as possible, even straight, to advance the Wt
axis. This way of walking inevitably produces a
horizontal vector for leader which is transferred to the
follower.
Figure 5. Advance of body with the alignment of the upper body
and stance of tango posture. The alignment of the upper body
should be kept upright according to the tango posture. The vector
of advance of the upper body is basically horizontal without vertical
displacement. For the alignment of the upper body, the lumbar
lordosis should be maintained (red triangle). For the tango stance,
the knee is flexed (green triangle). In the flexion of knee in this
posture, the flexion of hip joint (blue triangle) and the dorsiflexion
of ankle (yellow triangle) are accompanied naturally. In this
posture, the Wt-gaining limb becomes flexed, and the Wt-losing
limb becomes extended as much as possible and as straight as
possible, to advance the Wt axis. This way of walking inevitably
produces a horizontal vector for the leader who transfers this
information to the follower.
Conversely, all is suitable for the purpose of the
tango if it constitutes the tango gait. To provide horizontal
lead, the upper body which makes the frame moves
horizontally. To move horizontally, the vertical displacement
of the CoM should be reduced or eliminated. To
eliminate the vertical displacement of CoM, the walking
occurs through the use of knee flexion.
⦁Medical aspect
When correct posture is maintained by the dancers
during all phases of the tango gait, tango dancing
provides corrections to obtain the effect of healthy
posture
In the normal gait, the free limb accepts weight
and advances the body sequentially [16]. The body
axis follows, moving forward after the free limb
begins to accept the body weight. In the tango gait, the
body axis and Wt supporting point is nearly always
collinear with the Wt Axis. In the preloading period of
the tango gait, the body axis moves and meets the
loading point of the foot just before the loading point.
In tango, all weight movement is accompanied by
body axis movement, nearly simultaneously. That is,
the body axis movement precedes the weight axis
movement during the leading phase of the preloading
period in the aspects of lead for the purpose of tango
as dance.
In the normal gait, the body axis follows the loading
point, whereas the body axis precedes the movement
of the whole Wt axis, which is composed of the body
axis and the loading point in the tango gait.
In the normal gait, the movement of the loading
point and subsequent body axis is sequential in the
preloading period similar to using a lever, whereas the
instant preceding movement of the body axis is simultaneous
with the movement of the loading point, thereby
making the collinear Wt axis similar to the body axis.
The loading point is shown by the extended line.
The process of the tango gait is analysed as shown
in Table 2. All characteristics of the tango are produced
from the unique aspects of the tango gait as described
below.
◆ Stability is the first point of the tango gait
One expression variable of the tango is the
movement with the free limb, whereas the Wt limb
supports the body weight, stabilizing the axis column.
Therefore, the stability of the weight support is a very
important point in the tango gait.
Babies are immature and underdeveloped for walking.
Therefore, babies focus on stable weight bearing so as
not to fall or tumble. Although the walking of the
baby is not soft and confluent, some shapes of the
baby walk are similar to the tango gait because the
baby can walk, and the tango gait is focused on the
stability of the weight support (Fig. 6).
41
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)

Figure 6. A, Typical forward gait in tango. The body axis and Wt axis
is collinear. B, The first kinematic analysis of gait in the history by
Murray. Upper photo is the gait of a baby and the lower photo is that
of an adult. C, A schematic diagram of the gait of a baby and an Figure 7. Asymmetric shape between both limbs during the tango
adult. The baby is mainly focused on the stability of weight bearing gait from a lateral view. A, In the normal gait, both legs showed
during the movement because of its unfamiliarity with walking. symmetry in the mid-stance phase and the initial heel contact
Therefore, he maintains stability in every weight movement. (Modified (toe-off point). B, In the tango gait, both legs show asymmetricity
from Neumann DA. Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system, 2nd
ed. St Louis: Mosby Elseviers, 2010. [7])
factor in the gait characteristics of the tango, which
was developed more than a hundred years ago.
6) Asymmetric shape of Wt-gaining limb According to the unique aspects of the tango gait, the
and Wt-losing limb shape of the walk is not asymmetric between the
Wt-losing limb and the Wt-gaining limb.
In the normal gait, the shape of the walk between
the Wt-gaining limb and the Wt-losing limb is nearly
symmetrical, with some difference due to the anatomical
7) Vertical and side-to-side displacement
structure. In the normal gait, the energy efficiency is of the centre of mass (CoM)
the most important factor. Rhythmical and regular
In the normal gait, the vertical and side-to-side
movement is more efficient for smooth movement,
displacement of the centre of mass (CoM) is present
with advance and the weight transfer from one limb to
due to the anatomical structure (Fig. 8) [16]. Due to
the other limb (Fig. 7).
length of a lower limb, the vertical displacement is 5
In the tango gait, the stable weight support, as well
cm. At the mid-stance phase, the height is the highest,
as the artistic and beautiful shape, is the most important
and in the middle of dual-limb support, it is the lowest.

42 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019

 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
Figure 8. Displacement of CoM in the normal gait. A, Vertical
displacement is shown during walk. B, Due to the length of a lower
limb, the vertical displacement is 5 cm. C, Due to the anatomical
structure of the pelvis, thigh, leg and ankle, the step width (base of
gait) is 2.5 cm to 5 cm, and in some texts it is ± 2 cm.
Due to the anatomical structure of the pelvis, thigh,
leg and ankle, the step width (base of gait) is 2.5 cm
to 5 cm, and in some texts, ± 2 cm.
In the tango, the reduction or elimination of vertical
and side-to-side displacement of CoM recommended.
Actually, the vertical and side-to-side displacement is
reduced or absent in more experienced or well-trained
tango dancers, except when showing an intended
situation for the artistic expression.
Several strategies exist to reduce the displacement
of CoM; three actions for the vertical displacement and
one for side-to-side displacement of CoM (Table 3).
Surprisingly, with the development of the tango more
than a hundred years ago, these methods are already
being used except for the frontal plane pelvic rotation [16].
Table 3. Strategies to reduce the displacement of CoM.
The vertical displacement of CoM is beneficial for
the energy efficiency. At the highest height, the
potential energy is the highest. The potential energy
change into kinetic energy and kinetic energy is the
highest in the lowest height. In the normal gait, this
exchange between the potential and kinetic energy is
used for energy efficiency, and active muscular
contraction and passive movement uses this energy
(Fig. 9). However, all movements should be covered
only by muscular strength in tango gait.
Figure 9. The exchange between potential energy and kinetic energy
in the normal gait. The potential energy is the highest, especially at
the highest height. The potential energy is changed to kinetic
energy, and the kinetic energy is the greatest at the lowest height.
⦁Medical aspect
In tango, all power of movement should be
supported by muscular contraction. The tango gait
itself requires the use of more energy and more
muscular contraction, which substitute the kinetic
energy with a change from potential energy.
Therefore, the tango gait shows exercise effects
and requires more energy consumption and uses
energy differently from that of the normal gait.
⦁Medical application
Tango gait itself has the exercise effects. The speed
of the movement is not fast but gains the exercise
effects by tango gait. It is applicable in patients in
whom mobility are not favourable such as those
with Parkinson’s disease, who use it for
therapeutic purpose as well as for health
promotion in elderly subjects promotion.
8) Step width
The step width from the medial side of heel to the
centre of the gait progression is described as 2.5 cm 5 cm
in the normal gait (Fig. 10) [16]. It is related with the
side-to-side displacement of the CoM. In the tango
gait, the step width is recommended to be reduced,
possibly to 0 cm.
43
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)
Figure 10. The step width (base of gait) and the foot angle
(angle of base). The step width is 8-10 cm, and the foot angle is
5°-7°. In the tango gait, the step width is recommended to be 0
cm, and the foot angle is maintained naturally.
However, the foot angle (angle of base), which is the
angle between the line of progress and the anteroposterial
axis (the line from the centre of calcaneus bone (heel)
to the centre of 2nd toe), is described as 10° or 5° 7°.
If the step width is appropriate, the weight being
supported is more convenient. Additionally, a reduction
in the step width needs more capacity for balancing
control, as well as for muscular strength of the lower
limb. For the expert tango dancer, the step width
becomes 0 cm.
⦁Medical aspect
In tango, more balancing capacity is needed to
maintain the body weight without step width.
9) Active vs passive movements
With a normal gait, when acceleration is used
during walking, not all, but some of the acceleration is
used the stability of weight support after the weight
movement. Instead, muscular control is used to prevent
tumbles during acceleration.
⦁Medical aspect
In the normal gait, the passive energy is obtained
from the acceleration during the advance. However,
the acceleration during the walk should be
controlled by muscular contraction to maintain the
stability of weight support during the walk.
10) Hand swing and kick-off
Hand swing also helps advance the normal gait.
Moreover, the kick-off is also very important to
advance the body weight in the normal gait. It is
typically observed in running [16].
One walks automatically using hand swings and
kick-off with the best energy efficiency. In tango, for
many reasons, the best energy efficiency is not
important. Therefore, in tango, the main way of
walking represents the active movements.
A leader and a follower hold together and keep the
holding frame constantly during dance. However, it is
the kick-off that can destroy the stability of the weight
44 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019
support and impede the smooth movements in tango.
The kick-off is controlled softly in addition to the
acceleration of walking speed in the tango using active
muscular strength.
⦁Medical aspect
In the tango gait, the energy from hand swing and
kick-off should not be replaced by muscular
control. Rather, the kick-off should be overcome by
muscular control. The tango gait without hand
swing and with/without kick-off needs more
muscular contraction and control. In addition to
the mechanisms of walking, the tango gait without
hand swing is more similar to climbing. Therefore,
the exercise effects can be obtained by the tango
gait with slow speeds. However, slow speeds
require more power to maintain the tango posture,
stance and gait.
The mechanisms of the tango gait also resemble
the mechanics of running. However, with running,
there is no hand swing or kick-off. The tango gait
is similar to the running without sprinting as well
as without hand swing. The tango gait is like
running at a slow speed, and the tango gait,
despite the slow speed, is a very good form of
exercise.
11) Concurrence of body axis and Wt axis
and the vertical fixation of the body axis
In normal walking, jogging and running, the
alignment of the upper body changes. During running,
the body axis leans forward to reduce the resistance of
the air during the running.
In the tango, the alignment of the upper body
should remain upright by keeping the body axis as
near to vertical as possible because of way in which
the leader (leads) transfers the sign to the follower
(Fig. 5). For the transfer of the sing, the body alignment
should be kept upright according to the tango posture
to maintain the frame comprised of the participants
who are held together during the tango [13].
When the tango posture of the upper body and
horizontal vector of the upper body movement are
kept, most of the characteristics of tango and the
purposes of tango are obtained.
 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
12) The difference in the principle of
stepping
There are the remarkable differences between stepping
principles in the normal gait and the tango gait.
In the normal gait, the effective advance of the
body with the best energy efficiency is the purpose of
gait. However, the stability of the weight transfer from
the Wt-losing limb to the Wt-gaining limb is much
more important than the energy efficiency.
In the normal gait, the whole lower limb, including the
foot, moves as one [16]. However, the metatarsophalangeal
joint is flexed during the step, and the ball is used as
the centre of the rolling lever during the limb rotation
from back to front (point-rounding step). In the normal
gait, the rotation using the ankle is not used so much.
However, in the tango gait, once the loading point
has contacted the ground, one establishes a plane
surface with the sole as rapidly as possible (Fig. 11).
Then, the ankle joint is changed from plantar flexion
to dorsiflexion, with the plantar surface being in firm
contact with the ground. Here, the ankle becomes the
centre of the rolling lever. This results in a firm and
stable supporting surface for the sole on the ground
and for the upper level of the rolling lever (plane
step). This happened in the tango gait because of the
stability of the weight support. Wider surfaces give
more stability. Moreover, the supporting surface is firmly
in contact with the ground. Additionally, this way of
stepping in the tango gait provides longer plantar
surface contact with the ground and one obtains more
stability. This way of stepping is also possible because
of the unique aspects of the tango gait.
Figure 11. Tango stepping. Plantar surface is in flat contact, just
after landing and as rapidly as possible. The ankle joint is used as
the centre of the rolling lever, as initially, the foot landed in a plantar
flexion position and rolled over the ankle to dorsiflexion status.
13) Single-limb stance duration and
dual-limb support duration
The dual-limb support period is 20% of the total
normal gait cycle [16]. In tango, dual-limb support
happens instantly from the landing phase to the
loading phase. Most of time, the tango requires
single-limb support because of the purpose of the
tango. Dual-limb support in the tango gait can become
longer than that in the normal gait due to the artistic
necessity or musicality. In the cycle in the normal gait
and tango gait, the portion of dual-limb support
becomes shorter with an increase in dancing or
walking speed.
14) Variation in gait velocity
With a the normal gait, the velocity of the gait is
even. The abrupt change of speed is not beneficial for
the energy efficiency. One changes the speed softly, if
it is necessary.
Tango is a dance that moves along the music beat.
The beat is sometimes constant and sometimes variable,
according to the artistic expression of the music.
Therefore, the speed of walking is variable, according
to the musicality. Even in the regular beat, the speed
of the movement can change softly or abruptly for the
expression of feeling in tango. Therefore, the velocity
of the gait is variable and changes abruptly or softly
in tango.
⦁Medical aspect
In the tango gait, more muscular strength may be
needed to maintain the stable Wt support by the
Wt limb in accordance with the variable velocity
change in the gait. Therefore, just dancing the
tango has the effect of exercise.
15) Adorno
One of the unique characters in tango movements
is ‘adorno’. It is the motion of decoration for the
artistic expression according to the music [11]. Adorno
is the movement of the free limb outside the formatted
forward movement.
Regarding the aspects of the normal gait, the
movement is regular and synchronized in all actions,
and is seemingly may be an unnecessary action that
consumes more energy. Other than the formatted
movement of the normal gait and other than the
exceptional situation, no other reason exists to move.
Conversely, the more stable Wt support by the Wt
limb is necessary to achieve adorno by the stable
movement of the free limb. Bearing weight is more
difficult with one limb than with dual-limb support
45
 Tango Gait for Tango Therapy:Functional Anatomical Characteristics of Tango Gait (‘Tango Gaitology’)
during the stance and movement, whereas, the
strengthening of muscles to make the single-limb
provide support for stability leads to the free and
artistic expression of music by artistic movement of
the free limb.
⦁Medical aspect
In the tango gait, the more muscular strength for
the stable Wt support by the Wt limb is necessary
to move the free limb freely and stably for the
action of adorno. This is the why just dancing the
tango has the effect of exercise.
Ⅱ. Therapeutic viewpoints
The tango gait is beneficial due to the unique
characters of its gait that exist for the purpose of the
dance. This unique way has been developed by
experience over more than 150 years. Tango was born
from natural movements, and the movements do not
exceed anatomical limitation. Moreover, most of the
movements of tango exist within the boundary of a
natural step. This gait was established during the
development of tango through its history. Additionally,
the way of the tango gait leads to fulfil the purpose of
tango in the dancer when performing the dance.
Basically, the tango is based on a the single-limb
stance, and it needs stable weight support with a single
limb. For the purpose of the tango, the movement to
the horizontal direction simultaneously with the correct
posture of the upper body is needed.
Therapeutic tango may be applied in the patients
whose mobility is not good or who have some disability
that affects their movement, including Parkinson’s
disease patients. Fortunately, the many points observed
in the unique tango gait allow tango to have the physical
therapeutic effects at the slow speed. Therefore, tango,
among the many kinds of dances, is appropriate for
therapeutic applications
Stable weight support by a single limb in tango
needs muscle strengthening and more balance capability,
and tango therapy is able to be used for therapeutic
muscle strengthening because stable weight support
with a single limb means the Wt limb should bear the
double-weight load instead of it being borne by
dual-limb support. Tango also needs more balance
capacity with the narrowing or absence of step width
as well as single-limb weight support.
46 Vol. 1, No. 2, Sep. 2019
Moving to variable directions, controlling the variable
change of gait velocity and doing adorno with the free
limb are all based on the stable weight support.
Therefore, the muscular strengthening of the Wt-supporting
limb is absolutely necessary, and tango strengthens the
relevant muscles.
The stable single-limb support needs the concentric,
eccentric, isometric and isotonic contraction of all
muscles relevant to keeping posture, gait and balance.
So, Tango strengthens all the related muscles but is
not limited to muscles.
The stable single-limb support may strengthen the
core muscles including pelvic floor muscles because
the inevitable change of weight supporting anteroposterior
axis of foot to the medial side. Single-limb support
might improve the disease related with medial side
muscles and core muscles, such as pelvic floor muscles;
functional urinary inconsistency; and sexual problems.
During the main phase of the tango gait, knee
flexion is the basic stance method. During the tango gait,
one extends and flexes the knee, which is accompanied
by the flexion of the hip joint and the dorsiflexion of
the ankle joint. This is the same with squatting. The
tango gait is similar to the repetitive squatting.
From the mechanisms of tango gait, the tango leads
to climbing effects. The mechanisms of the flexion of
the Wt-gaining limb and extension of the Wt-losing
limb in the tango gait resemble climbing as one climbs
up from the ground. The absence of hand swing and
kick-off make the tango gait, like climbing, a matter of
purely muscular strength.
The therapeutic effect of tango is the correction of
posture to the right healthy posture because tango
needs to keep the upright tango posture and tango
stance during all processes and horizontal vector of
moving. Basic tango posture and stance is based on
the correct healthy normal posture.
Additionally, the mechanisms of the flexion of the
Wt-gaining limb and extension of the Wt-losing limb
in the tango gait resembles climbing, as one climbs up
from the ground. The tango gait shows climbing effects
in addition to the running effects obtained from the
tango gait.
Tango requires active muscular strength and additional
energy, such as the potential energy for height change,
the energy for the acceleration of speed and the energy
for the hand swing and kick-off. Tango needs more
muscular strength and balancing capacity to control the
acceleration of speed and the tumble from the kick off.
Consequently, the tango gait is similar to running,
 Youngsoon Koh⋅Yoonchul Hur⋅Ic Soo Kim⋅Geunwoong Noh
squatting and climbing, according to all the factors of
the tango gait even at a safe slow speed.
6. Conclusion
Tango therapy effects similar to the effects of
running, squatting and climbing may be obtained, even
at a safe, slow velocity. From a medical viewpoint, tango
has therapeutic effects on the muscular strengthening
of posture and gait. Consequently, posture, gait, balancing,
mobility, and the uprightness of the body are possibly
improved.
Moreover, these effects can be obtained with slow
movements. Tango therapy is a good modality in patients
whose mobility is not favourable. Tango therapy may
be applied to neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson’s
disease, and to promote the health of older people. The
tango may strengthen the core muscles and can be
applied therapeutically for urinary inconstancy. More
investigation may be needed.
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