Physiotherapy - Research Publications
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ItemChanges in hip and ankle range of motion and hip muscle strength in 8-11 year old novice female ballet dancers and controls: a 12 month follow up study(BRITISH MED JOURNAL PUBL GROUP, 2001-02)OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a 12 month longitudinal study changes in hip and ankle range of motion and hip muscle strength in young female novice ballet dancers. METHODS: Fifty three of the original 77 (69%) female dancers aged 8-11 years and 40 of the original 49 (82%) controls returned for follow up measurements one year later. Supine right active hip external (ER) and internal (IR) rotation were measured using an inclinometer. A turnout protractor was used to assess standing active turnout range. Range of right weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion and calf muscle length were measured in a standing lunge position using an inclinometer. A manual muscle tester was used to assess right hip flexor, IR, ER, abductor and adductor strength. RESULTS: The mean (SD) 12 month change in hip ER did not differ between dancers (11.7 (11.3)degrees) and controls (8.1 (17.6)degrees). Dancers gained 12.5 (13.5)degrees hip IR which was significantly greater than controls (0.5 (13.9)degrees). Greater IR change was associated with improved IR strength (r = 0.34, p<0.001). Dancers increased total turnout (12.0 (16.7)degrees) significantly more than controls (2.2 (20.0)degrees). There was no significant change in ankle dorsiflexion range in either group. Dancers and controls increased in all measures of hip muscle strength (p<0.001) and dancers achieved significantly greater gains in three out of five muscle groups (all, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Total hip range of motion increased in both ballet students and controls at this young age. However, ankle dorsiflexion did not, which is probably due to this movement being blocked by bony apposition, rather than soft tissue stretch. This has implications for ballet teachers, as it has long been accepted that this movement could be improved with training. Dancers had greater increases in hip strength after 12 months compared with controls in muscles specific for ballet, suggesting that hip strength can be trained at this young age. Whether these gains are permanent requires further study.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableThe Effect of Spinal and Pelvic Posture and Mobility on Back Pain in Young Dancers and Non-Dancers(SAGE Publications, 2002-09-01)One-hundred-and-twenty healthy volunteers (ranging in age from 10 to 25 years), completed a questionnaire concerning the type and amount of regular activity and history of low back pain. There were 41 who participated in at least 6 hours of dance per week and 79 non-dancers. Computer-based analysis of videotape records examined sagittal standing posture and thoracolumbar flexion-extension mobility On average, dancers undertook 19 h/wk more regular activity (p = 0.0001), were lighter by 7 kg (p = 0.001), had straighter standing postures (p < 0.001) and greater thoracic and lumbar sagittal excursions (by 23° and 9°, respectively) (p < 0.01). One or more episodes of back pain of at least two days duration was experienced by 24% of all subjects in the past year, and 18% recalled at least one episode of back pain in earlier years. Dancers experienced significantly more back pain in the last year, and in earlier years, compared to non-dancers (37% versus 18% and 24% versus 14%, respectively), but the relative incidence of back pain expressed as hours of activity per incident was less for dancers (1:20 hours) than non-dancers (1:5 hours). The non-dancers who experienced pain had more flexed lumbar spine standing postures (p = 0.01), and a direct correlation between lumbar spine excursion and severity of the worst pain episode over the previous year (p = 0.02).