Title: Consequences of injuries on stability in ballet Objectives: The main aim of the study was to find out if injuries in the ankle and foot have a negative impact on dancers' postural stability. If so then the secondary objective of this study was to see if the injury of one leg affects also the stability of the other in a one-leg stand. Methods: First part of this thesis is a systematic review. The other part is quantitative research in a prospective, cross-sectional design study. Stabilometric data from all 24 female subjects were analysed and injured and uninjured dancers were compared. The data were measured by a FootScan pressure plate (RSscan International, Belgium). Tested positions were bipodalic stance with eyes opened and closed, bipodalic calf raise (relevé) and monopodalic stance on both legs. Results: The aims of the thesis have been fulfilled but both the hypothesis have been rejected. The results have shown better stability in injured dancers to non-injured dancers in three parameters - Total Travel Way of the centre of pressure (COP) in monopodalic stance on the right foot, mediolateral movement of COP in bipodalic stance with eyes opened and calf rise (relevé). No significant differences have been shown between dancers with one leg previously injured and the non-injured ones in...

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background: Classical ballet is an art form that seems graceful on the surface. However, beneath the disguise of beauty and ease lies an extremely physically demanding activity that calls for dedication, strength and perseverance. Ballet requires a specific body type and precise techniques, which predispose the dancer to musculoskeletal injury. Although a few studies have been conducted to investigate biomechanical factors as risk factors for injury in ballet dancers, few have included amateur ballet dancers and a range of biomechanical factors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine characteristics of ballet-related injury in amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area; to measure and record lower limb biomechanical measurements of these dancers; and to identify associations between the biomechanical measurements and characteristics of injury in the population. Method: A quantitative, questionnaire-based survey with biomechanical measurements was conducted on 21 amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area. Statistical analysis included the description of categorical variables using frequency and percentages in tables and bar charts. Continuous variables were summarised using mean, standard deviation and range, or median and range as appropriate. Independent Sample T-tests were used to compare biomechanical measurements between two independent groups. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Pearson’s correlations and ANOVA testing were also used. Results: The period prevalence of ballet-related injury over the last 2 years was found to be 62% and the point prevalence 38%. There were 37 total previous injuries, most of which occurred in the hamstring (24%). Most of the worst previous injuries were reported to have occurred in the low back (31%). Most of the worst previous (70%) and current (93%) injuries occurred over time. The worst previous injuries reported ranged from mild to severe in severity, while the worst current injuries reported ranged from mild to moderate. Significant associations were found between right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and previous injury; right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and current injury; ‘functional turnout’ and onset of injury; right non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and onset of injury; and ‘compensated turnout’ and onset of injury. Conclusion: The results suggest a significant association between musculoskeletal ballet-related injury and reduced weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion; between injuries that occur over time (overuse injuries) and decreased ‘functional turnout’; and between overuse injuries and decreased non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. These findings may help identify risk factors for injury in ballet dancers and contribute towards preventing ballet-related injury. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background: Classical ballet is an art form that seems graceful on the surface. However, beneath the disguise of beauty and ease lies an extremely physically demanding activity that calls for dedication, strength and perseverance. Ballet requires a specific body type and precise techniques, which predispose the dancer to musculoskeletal injury. Although a few studies have been conducted to investigate biomechanical factors as risk factors for injury in ballet dancers, few have included amateur ballet dancers and a range of biomechanical factors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine characteristics of ballet-related injury in amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area; to measure and record lower limb biomechanical measurements of these dancers; and to identify associations between the biomechanical measurements and characteristics of injury in the population. Method: A quantitative, questionnaire-based survey with biomechanical measurements was conducted on 21 amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area. Statistical analysis included the description of categorical variables using frequency and percentages in tables and bar charts. Continuous variables were summarised using mean, standard deviation and range, or median and range as appropriate. Independent Sample T-tests were used to compare biomechanical measurements between two independent groups. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Pearson’s correlations and ANOVA testing were also used. Results: The period prevalence of ballet-related injury over the last 2 years was found to be 62% and the point prevalence 38%. There were 37 total previous injuries, most of which occurred in the hamstring (24%). Most of the worst previous injuries were reported to have occurred in the low back (31%). Most of the worst previous (70%) and current (93%) injuries occurred over time. The worst previous injuries reported ranged from mild to severe in severity, while the worst current injuries reported ranged from mild to moderate. Significant associations were found between right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and previous injury; right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and current injury; ‘functional turnout’ and onset of injury; right non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and onset of injury; and ‘compensated turnout’ and onset of injury. Conclusion: The results suggest a significant association between musculoskeletal ballet-related injury and reduced weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion; between injuries that occur over time (overuse injuries) and decreased ‘functional turnout’; and between overuse injuries and decreased non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. These findings may help identify risk factors for injury in ballet dancers and contribute towards preventing ballet-related injury. / M