Association between pre-participation characteristics and risk of injury amongst pre-professional
Kenny SJ, Critchley ML, Whittaker JL, Kodalore Vijayan VW, Emery CA
Phys Ther Sport November 2021
Who participated in this study?
Full-time pre-professional ballet and contemporary dancers.
When did this study occur?
Starting in September 2015
Why did we do this research?
To evaluate pre-participation characteristics that may be associated with greater odds of dance-related musculoskeletal complaints in pre-professional dancers.
What did we find?
81% of dancers reported at least one musculoskeletal complaint, with the ankle, knee and foot accounting for the majority.
Association Between Previous Injury and Risk Factors for Future Injury
Kenny SJ, Palacios-Derflingher L, Shi Q, Whittaker JL, Emery CA
Clin J Sport Med May 2019
Who participated in this study?
155 full-time preprofessional ballet and contemporary dancers
When did this study occur?
Published 2019
Why did we do this research?
To determine the prevalence of self-reported 1-year injury history. To examine its association with preparticipation evaluation components aimed at predicting future injury risk.
What did we find?
Self-reported 1-year injury history among preprofessional ballet and contemporary dancers is high.
Between-Day Reliability of Pre-Participation Screening Components
Kenny SJ, Palacios-Derflingher L, Owoeye OBA, Whittaker JL, Emery CA
J Dance Med Sci March 2018
Who participated in this study?
35 female and 3 male pre-professional ballet and contemporary dancers
When did this study occur?
Published March 2018
Why did we do this research?
To determine between-day reliability or pre-participation screening components
What did we find?
The components examined showed moderate to excellent relative reliability. The Foot Posture Index-6 and passive hip range of motion are not recommended for screening injury risk in this population.
The Influence of Injury Definition on Injury Burden
Kenny SJ, Palacios-Derflingher L, Whittaker JL, Emery CA
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther March 2018
Who participated in this study?
85 preprofessional ballet dancers and 60 preprofessional contemporary dancers registered in full-time training
When did this study occur?
Published in 2017
Why did we do this research?
To describe the influence of injury definition on injury prevalence, incidence and severity
What did we find?
Injury surveillance methodologies should consider more inclusive definitions of injuries.
The prevalence of musculoskeletal injury among pre-professional ballet and contemporary dancers
Who participated in this study?
Students registered in full-time pre-professional dance training at the School of Alberta Ballet and the University of Calgary's Division of Dance.
When did this study occur?
2015-2016 academic year.
What did we find?
The prevalence of musculoskeletal injury among pre-professional ballet and contemporary dancers is high (up to 82%). The most common sites of injury, as reported by both physiotherapists and dancers, were the knee, ankle and foot. Consistent with previous literature, the most common recorded diagnoses were patella-femoral pain, posterior ankle impingement, and Achilles tendinopathy. Injuries resulting in time-loss and medical attention underestimate the true burden of injury experienced by pre-professional ballet and contemporary dancers. Self-reported one-year injury history significantly predicted risk for dance-related musculoskeletal complaints – injuries that impacted the students' dancing, regardless of needing to seek medical care or take time off from dance.