Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury in Irish Dance: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Several biopsychosocial factors appear to be associated with FAPI in Irish dancers. Biopsychosocial screening protocols and prevention strategies may best identify and support at-risk dancers.

Screening Tools as a Predictor of Injury in Dance: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

“…beyond triage’ Time loss injury: ‘an injury resulting in inability to participate in activities (class etc. )’ Self-reported by questionnaire The total number of injuries and time loss injuries were correlated with Brighton Criteria ( P = 0.001) Physical complaint injuries and Brighton Criteria were correlated ( P = 0.005) Time loss injuries were related to joint hypermobility syndrome ( P = 0.001) Cahalan et al [ 46 ] N = 104 injury questionnaire N = 84 physical assessment Elite, competitive and student Irish dancers Professional ( n = 36) 23 years 50% female Student ( n = 28) 20 years 85.7% female Competitive ( n = 40) 20 years 80% female • BMI • Waist:hip ratio • Pain pressure threshold • Navicular drop • Functional Movement Screen (total of deep squat and in-line lunge scores only) • Hamstring flexibility • Gastrocnemius flexibility • Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) Posteromedial reach • Vertical leap • Beighton Score • Number of jumps in 30s • (% max HR) • Type and frequency of cross-training Time loss definition of injury categorised as: Minor injuries (up to 7 days to resolve) Moderate injuries (8 to 21 days to resolve) Severe (21 days + days to resolve) Self-reported by questionnaire No significant differences between injured and non-injured groups Cahalan et al [ 47 ] N = 85 (66 female) Elite, competitive and student Irish dancers Divided in to more time absent (MTA) from injury ( n = 41, 20 years) and less time absent (LTA) from injury ( n = 25, 20 years) • BMI • Waist:hip ratio • Navicular drop • Functional Movement Screen total score • Hamstring flexibility • Gastrocnemius flexibility • SEBT Posteromedial reach • Vertical leap • Beighton Score • Number of jumps per 30 s • % max heart rate • Type and frequency of cross-training ‘Any physical complaint that caused absence from one or more rehearsals or performance days’ Self-reported by questionnaire ‘More time absent’ (MTA) group demonstrated a trend towards better performance on Functional Movement Screen ( P = 0.062) Cahalan et al [ 48 ] N = 85 (66 females) Elite, competitive and student Irish dancers Divided in to MTA from injury ( n = 41, 20 years) and ‘less time absent’ from injury ( n = 25, 20 years) • BMI • Waist:hip ratio ...…”

“…Nineteen studies included ballet dancers [ 24 , 26 – 43 ], two studies included contemporary dancers [ 44 , 45 ], three studies included Irish dancers [ 46 – 48 ] and eight studies included a mixed group of dancers [ 49 – 56 ]. In nine studies, the dance genre was unclear [ 5 , 57 – 64 ], and one study used dance degree students but did not state the genre [ 65 ].…”

“…In nine studies, the dance genre was unclear [ 5 , 57 – 64 ], and one study used dance degree students but did not state the genre [ 65 ]. With regard to the level of dance, nine studies included dancers classified as elite/professional [ 26 – 29 , 37 , 48 , 50 , 60 , 62 ], seven studies as pre-professional [ 5 , 33 , 42 , 56 – 59 ] and 21 studies as non-elite/non-professional [ 24 , 30 – 32 , 34 – 36 , 38 , 39 , 44 , 45 , 49 , 51 – 55 , 61 , 63 – 65 ]. Three studies used a mixed group of dancers [ 41 , 46 , 47 ], and in two studies, the level was unclear [ 40 , 43 ].…”

“…Fourteen studies considering dancers under 18 years old [ 26 , 34 – 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 49 , 53 , 55 , 59 , 61 , 63 , 64 ] and 16 studies including dancers above 18 years old [ 24 , 27 , 29 , 40 , 44 – 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 58 , 60 , 62 , 65 ]. Eight studies included dancers across this age range [ 5 , 28 , 30 – 32 , 41 , 56 , 57 ], and four studies did not report the age [ 33 , 37 , 42 , 51 ].…”

Medicine, Performing Arts, and Science—-Dancing to the Same Tune

“…Their results highlight that earplug use can be affected by age and attitudes, with the younger generation more prepared to be adaptable and try solutions, perhaps being more aware of the improved technology available as well as the very real repercussions of hearing loss they would have witnessed in senior colleagues. In an investigation of foot and ankle injuries seen in Irish dancers, Cahalan et al 5 found that biopsychosocial factors play a greater role in injury than previously thought, highlighting the importance of considering these aspects in medical assessments and injury prevention strategies.…”