IT'S the kind of cutting edge technology usually used to check out the techniques of elite horseriders training for the Olympics.

But now the motion sensor system Xsens is being used by dancers at the Regal, in Cowley Road, Oxford, in a bid to find out if they are "in sync" with their partners.

And the information could be used to create new dance-style computer games.

Ten couples were put through their paces for two minutes while they spun, twisted and twirled their way through ceroc, a style of modern jive.

They were hooked up with motion sensors attached to their backs and transmitters round their waists sending data back to laptops.

Using the dance was the idea of keen ceroc dancer and Oxford Brookes University physiotherapy researcher Charlie Winward, of Kidlington.

She said: "I'm interested in movement analysis and what I wanted to do was look at improving the 'leader/follower' interaction.

"Any guy can look fantastic on the dance floor with four basic moves, but sometimes it's very, very jerky and it's hard to explain that."

She also decided to put herself forward as a guinea pig.

She said: "I'm a bit nervous about seeing my own dancing, you think you have a similar style to your partner, but that may not be the case."

Three-dimensional rectangles representing the dancers appear on laptops, capturing their every move.

The data collected will be analysed to try to find a pattern. If successful, it is hoped a programme will be created to help both top dancers and as a fun, Nintendo Wii-style game for amateur dance classes.

Duncan Nekeman, a research student at Brookes, said: "We're thinking in terms of rhythm, and dance is all about rhythm.

"I'm amazed by the dancing, Charlie said certain dancers were good and some weren't but I couldn't see the difference."

Patrick Esser, who is studying for his PhD, said: "I think we can see a certain pattern but it's not perhaps going to be as clear as we were hoping."

Geoff Hutton, from Bicester, was among the couples having a go with the sensor.

He said: "I think it's very, very exciting, a unique experience. It shows how the body moves and hopefully it will show that I'm not too bad a dancer, but it's not for me to judge."

Heather Johnston, 30, of Cowley, and her dance partner Rob Bailey, 36, from East Oxford, who have been dancing for three years, also showed off their skills for the team.

She said: "It was really interesting, but I somehow managed to break the sensor. I think he was spinning me too much and it went 'whoop'!"