Movement instability and body image factors: Unobtrusive real-time detection of loss of control in ballet dancers

Understanding the relationship between movement variability and body image is essential in disciplines where motor control and body perception are closely linked, such as dance. The present study with 24 ballet dancers presents a computational approach for detecting moments of loss of control in elbow movement fluidity. This serves as an objective proxy for body image and body awareness, as subtle disruptions in movement, especially in joints that are not the primary focus of technical training, can reflect increased self-monitoring or discomfort, factors commonly associated with negative body image in dancers. Through movement analysis during two common rehearsal contexts (i.e., marking choreography and full execution with music) we examined how movement variability differs based on task demands. Our findings show that loss of control moments are more frequent during marking, underscoring the influence of rehearsal context on both motor performance and body-related self-perception. Furthermore, we demonstrate that movement instability in the elbow joint can be associated with self-reported measures of body image and awareness, reinforcing the connection between motor variability and psychological well-being. By identifying the elbow as a sensitive and reliable indicator of instability during ballet practice, our approach offers a lightweight alternative to full-body kinematic analysis, supporting practical applications beyond laboratory settings. From a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp) perspective, this work contributes design insights for systems that integrate body image and movement behavior metrics. These findings open new possibilities for interactive technologies aimed at enhancing body image and improving movement precision in dancers and other movement practitioners. • A computational approach to detect moments of loss of control in elbow movement fluidity, offering an objective proxy for assessing body image factors during ballet practice. • Loss of control differs between marking and choreography execution with music. • The isolation of the elbow joint can reliably capture motor variability and psychological influences during ballet practice, providing an efficient alternative to full-body assessments. • Key insights into how moments of loss of control in movement relate to body image disturbances.