PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, number, and distribution of musculoskeletal injuries among young, recreational, female dancers before and after dancing in pointe shoes and to explore possible risk factors. METHODS: Thirty-one female, nonprofessional ballet dancers, eight to 20 years of age, were recruited from two dance studios in London, Ontario. Participants completed a descriptive questionnaire and reliable examiners performed stress, stability, and laxity tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of instability for nonpointe and pointe groups was 0% and 8% for the knee and 17% and 3% for the ankle, respectively (a nonsignificant difference). The mean number of painful sites was 1.3 (SD = 1.9) and 2.9 (SD = 2.1) for nonpointe and pointe groups, respectively (p = 0.04). The only variable that, in part, predicted the number of painful sites was the number of years of having danced ballet. CONCLUSIONS: The generalizability of these results is limited by the small sample size. Additional prospective research with larger samples, inclusion of dancers who are just beginning to dance in pointe shoes, and consideration of level of exposure and the intensity of both dancing and other physical activity is indicated before prevention programs can be planned and tested.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, number, and distribution of musculoskeletal injuries among young, recreational, female dancers before and after dancing in pointe shoes and to explore possible risk factors. METHODS: Thirty-one female, nonprofessional ballet dancers, eight to 20 years of age, were recruited from two dance studios in London, Ontario. Participants completed a descriptive questionnaire and reliable examiners performed stress, stability, and laxity tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of instability for nonpointe and pointe groups was 0% and 8% for the knee and 17% and 3% for the ankle, respectively (a nonsignificant difference). The mean number of painful sites was 1.3 (SD = 1.9) and 2.9 (SD = 2.1) for nonpointe and pointe groups, respectively (p = 0.04). The only variable that, in part, predicted the number of painful sites was the number of years of having danced ballet. CONCLUSIONS: The generalizability of these results is limited by the small sample size. Additional prospective research with larger samples, inclusion of dancers who are just beginning to dance in pointe shoes, and consideration of level of exposure and the intensity of both dancing and other physical activity is indicated before prevention programs can be planned and tested.