Extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors associated with injuries in young dancers aged 8–16 years

Abstract

In the present study, we tried to determine the association between joint ranges of motion, anatomical anomalies, body structure, dance discipline, and injuries in young female recreational dancers. A group of 1336 non-professional female dancers (age 8-16 years), were screened. The risk factors considered for injuries were: range of motion, body structure, anatomical anomalies, dance technique, and dance discipline. Sixty-one different types of injuries and symptoms were identified and later classified into four major categories: knee injuries, foot or ankle tendinopathy, back injuries, and non-categorized injuries. We found that 569 (42.6%) out of the 1336 screened dancers, were injured.The following factors were found to be associated with injuries (P < 0.05): (a) range of motion (e.g. dancers with hyper hip abduction are more prone to foot or ankle tendinopathies than dancers with hypo range of motion; (b) anatomical anomalies (scoliotic dancers manifested a higher rate of injuries than non-scoliotic dancers); (c) dance technique (dancers with incorrect technique of rolling-in were found to have more injuries than dancers with correct technique); (d) dance discipline (an association between time of practice en pointe and injury was observed); and (e) early age of onset of menarche decreased risk for an injury. No association between body structure and injury was found. Injuries among recreational dancers should not be overlooked, and therefore precautionary steps should be taken to reduce the risk of injury, such as screening for joint range of motion and anatomical anomalies. Certain dance positions (e.g. en pointe) should be practised only when the dancer has already acquired certain physical skills, and these practices should be time controlled.

Preventing dance injuries: current perspectives

“…In research reporting the percentage of dancers injured out of a studied sample, the range was 42%–97% across a variety of genres and skill proficiencies 63,64,66,68,69,71,73,85–88. The lower extremities have been shown repeatedly to be the most commonly injured region of the body in dancers 63,64,67,68,71,75,76,79,80,82,83,85,88–90. Nonetheless, the physical requirements of specific genres may dictate injury location, such as a higher proportion of injuries occurring in the upper extremity29,75 and back40,75 in modern or contemporary dance compared to ballet as a result of the former’s dependence on floor-based and partner maneuvers that require substantial weightbearing involvement by the upper extremities.…”

“…Implementing solely an age-based criterion for advancement to pointe is not appropriate 88,156. Health care providers who have occasion to consult with young dancers and their parents about dancing en pointe should become conversant with the demands of this activity.…”

Measurement of Human Motion in Performance

“…Several studies describe how each degree of misalignment in a dancer transmits force to the medial/lateral ankle structures (ligaments, bones, tendons and associated muscles) which are the most vulnerable to sprain, for example see [10]. The ability to identify subtle winged or sickle positions in a dancer's technique could enable training to be improved, and may reduce the need for compensatory strategies [11] and subsequently could allow the development of preventative measure to injury.…”

The Evaluation of Strength, Flexibility, and Functional Performance in the Adolescent Ballet Dancer During Intensive Dance Training

“…Although these differences have not been consistently demonstrated in other studies, such imbalances in range of motion may contribute to injury. One study of young female dancers noted that “hypermobile hip external rotation” was associated with foot and ankle tendinopathies, whereas “hypomobile hip external rotation” was associated back injuries . This same study also associated injury with poor dance form.…”