Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the jumping ability, body weight and height in classical dance students of the Teatro Colón school in Buenos Aires.

Material and methods: The study included 50 female (10-21 years) and 16 male (10-26 years) students. Variables: height (m), weight (kg), body mass index, height (cm) of squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), elasticity index (IE) (%).

Results: Underweight was found in 38% of females and 6.3% of males. In females, t-test for independent groups was implemented according to age categories between categories of nutritional status for SJ, CMJ, IE, with no significant differences. One-way ANOVA was implemented between age categories for SJ, CMJ, IE, with no significant differences for SJ (F = 0.8; p = .46), CMJ (F = 0.28; p = .76), IE (F = 0.61; p=.55). In the males one-way ANOVA test between age categories, SJ showed significance (F = 9.97; p = .002) and CMJ (F = 17.58; p = .00). Difference was between category 1 with 2 and 3, which tended to cluster (Scheffe post hoc test, p < .05). IE: Kruskal-Wallis test, showed no significant differences between age groups (X2 = 2.17; p=.34). Quality jump: 68% of males and 42% of females achieved an IE of 6%, indicating good CMJ/SJ ratio.

Conclusions: Health checks are suggested, given the high number of underweight dancers. As regards the jump, the female group could improve its capacity.

© 2015 Consell Català de l’Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.