Are maturation, growth and lower extremity alignment associated with overuse injury in elite adolescent ballet dancers?
Bowerman, Erin Whatman, Chris Harris, Nigel Bradshaw, Elizabeth Karin, Janet
Bowerman, Erin
Whatman, Chris
Harris, Nigel
Bradshaw, Elizabeth
Karin, Janet
Abstract
Objective:To identify growth, maturation and biomechanical risk factors for overuse injury in elite adolescent ballet dancers. Methods:Maturation (Tanner scale), growth (foot length change) and age at onset of menarche were recorded in elite adolescent ballet dancers. A modified knee valgus angle and lateral tilt of the pelvis were measured using 2D video during two dance movements (fondu, temps levé) to quantify lower extremity alignment. Overuse dance injuries were recorded by a physiotherapist. The injury rate ratio (RR) associated with each variable was estimated using over-dispersed Poisson regression modelling. Results:Changes in right foot length (RR = 1.41, CI = 0.93–2.13), right knee angles during the fondu (RR = 0.68, CI = 0.45–1.03) and temps levé (RR = 0.72, CI = 0.53–0.98), and pelvic angles during the temps levé on the left (RR = 0.52, CI = 0.30–0.90) and fondu on the right (RR = 1.28, CI = 0.91–1.80) were associated with substantial changes in injury risk. Conclusions: Rate of growth in elite adolescent ballet dancers is likely associated with an increase in risk of lower extremity overuse injury and better right lower extremity alignment is likely associated with a reduction in risk of right lower extremity overuse injury.
Keywords
injury, overuse, risk factors, growth, maturation, alignment, lower extremity, dance, youth, age
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Physical Therapy in Sport
Book
Volume
15
Issue
4
Page Range
234-241