Heterosexual Men Give Clues About Their Strength When They Dance Say Scientists
Posted on January 30, 2013
Researchers from Northumbria University say heterosexual men signal clues about their strength when they dance. The study was led by psychologist Dr Nick Neave and researcher Kristofor McCarty. The researchers reveal that they used 3D motion-capture technology and biomechanical analyses to examine how male dancing provides clues about the dancer's physical strength and fitness to both male and female observers.
Northumbria University researchers also revealed in an previous study the male dance moves most appealing to women. The researchers found that females are most influenced by dance moves involving "large and varied movements involving the neck and trunk." Take a look:
The findings of the latest study were published here in the American Journal of Human Biology. Men aged 19-37 were filmed as the danced to a drum rhythm. Their dancing was then converted into avatars and rated by both men and women on their physical qualities. The dancers also completed a fitness test. The researchers say they found similarities between the hand strength of a dancer and the ratings the dancers received from participants in the study.
Dr. Nick Neave said in a statement, "Rated dance quality was positively associated with actual grip strength and these clues of upper-body strength were most accurately picked up by male observers. This ability to discern upper-body strength is principally because men are looking for cues of 'formidability' in other males. Upper-body strength is highly related to fighting ability as it reflects the ability to do damage, especially in intra-sexual conflicts. The ability to gauge strength before potential conflicts is sensible, especially to other males."
