Biomechanical Risks Associated with Foot and Ankle Injuries in Ballet Dancers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Professional ballet dancers can be classified as dance artists and sports performers. This systematic review aims to consider the biomechanical risk factors for foot and ankle injuries in ballet dancers, as this could potentially reduce the impact that ‘cost of injury’ may have on ballet companies. An additional outcome was to examine the effects of injury on the career of ballet dancers. This study searched articles in four electronic databases for information in peer-reviewed journals. The included articles examined the relationships between biomechanical factors and the relationship between ballet shoes and foot performance. There were 9 articles included in this review. Among these articles, two focused on the peak force of the foot using two types of pointe shoes, three focused on overuse injuries of the ballet dancer’s foot, one article focused on the loading of the foot of a dancer, and three articles focused on the function and biomechanics of the foot in dancers. This review also found that the pointe shoe condition was the most important factor contributing to a foot injury; overuse injury related to high-intensity training and affected both the ankle and the foot; and metatarsophalangeal joint injury related to the function and structure of the foot. Finally, strengthening the lower extremity muscle is also a recommendation to improve muscle coordination and reduce injuries.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Foot and Ankle Injuries in 2 Professional Ballet Companies: A 3-Season Cohort Study of 588 Medical Attention Injuries and 255 Time-Loss Injuries

“…In addition, assessing the mechanism of injury by injury pathology type revealed that the primary mechanism of injury of ankle sprains was jumping activities but the primary mechanisms of ankle synovitis and impingement in women were related to dancing en point e. Previous biomechanical research studies have shown that pointe shoes, overuse of the lower extremity, and the biomechanics and function of the foot are risk factors associated with foot and ankle injuries in ballet dancers. 23 …”

“…Previous biomechanical research studies have shown that pointe shoes, overuse of the lower extremity, and the biomechanics and function of the foot are risk factors associated with foot and ankle injuries in ballet dancers. 23 Biomechanical research targeting pointe and jumping actions with their relationship to specific injuries may contribute to improve injury-prevention strategies. Several research studies have been conducted on the biomechanics of jumping and landing in ballet dancers, 24 and dancers have been reported to have different jumping and landing strategies compared with other athletes.…”

Anatomical zone where more injuries occur in four different dance styles: Hip-Hop, Classical Ballet, Contemporary dance and Irish dancing: a systematic review

“…In elite, pre-professional and professional dancers the range of motion of these movements can go up to 90 degrees. 28,29 Dancers use the foot to reach extreme external rotations while the ankle needs to twist either on the air or on the ground, as a result, the stress placed in this joint leads to a higher risk of injury. Also, during pointe positions, the dancers have a reduced base of support, causing an overload in the joint, ligaments and muscles.…”

Parameters optimization and trajectory planning of a novel 3-UPU parallel mechanism for ankle rehabilitation

“…Because of its own structural characteristics and the heavy load borne by it, the ankle is particularly prone to injuries in sports. Many people suffer from ankle injuries and loss of normal activity function annually due to sports injuries, strokes, and ankle diseases [2]. Medical research indicates that scientific and effective rehabilitation training can accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, help restore ligament elasticity, and prevent joint adhesion [3].…”