Predicting Injury Status in Adolescent Dancers Involved in Different Dance Styles: A Prospective Study

Prevalence of ankle instability in performers of Chinese classical dance: a cross-sectional study of 105 Chinese dancers

Objectives

Foot and ankle injuries are commonly seen in dancers, yet limited studies exist on the injury prevalence of performers of Chinese classical dance. This study aims to determine and assess the prevalence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) in Chinese dancers and correlate the impact of CAI with foot function.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of 105 Chinese dancers. CAI was assessed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and foot function via the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Both self-reported assessment tools were distributed online between January and February 2021. Subjects were divided into CAI and healthy groups to observe any correlations in demographics, training hours and foot function.

Results

CAI was seen in 28% of Chinese dancers, with most being unilateral instability. The number of training hours, level of expertise, occupation, gender and age showed no statistical significance with CAI. The FAOS showed that subjects with CAI had significantly greater pain and poorer quality of life.

Discussion and conclusion

CAI is a problem affecting 28% of performers of Chinese dance. Future research should investigate the ankle biomechanics in Chinese dance and specific risk factors for CAI to formulate strategies to prevent ankle injuries in Chinese dancers.

Effects of a dynamic stretching warm-up on functional movement patterns in female hip-hop dancers

Background: A large percentage of dancers suffer an injury to their musculoskeletal system at least once in their careers, as well as from pain caused by overloading or overtraining this system. A high frequency of injuries has been observed in hip-hop dancers. Before each workout, there should be a solid warm-up and stretching period. The lack of these two important elements increases the risk of injury. Aim of the study: This study aimed to examine the effects of dynamic stretching warm-ups on fundamental movement patterns in female hip-hop dancers. Material and methods: This study included 14 hip-hop female dancers, aged 15–17. Dancers participated in 6 weeks of dynamic stretching warm-ups. Anthropometric and demographic variables were measured. The effectiveness of dynamic stretching warm-ups in improving fundamental movement patterns was assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test including qualitative assessments using Deep Squat (DS) Hurdle Step (HS), In-Line Lunge (ILL), Shoulder Mobility (SM), Active Straight-Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push-Ups (TSPU) and Rotational Stability (RS). Results: Before the intervention, the mean composite FMS™ score was 15.00 ± 1.84 points and after the intervention was 16.64 ± 1.39 (p < 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences before and after the intervention in the DS (1.86 ± 0.53 vs. 2.36 ± 0.49, p < 0.05) and ASLR (2.21 ± 0.69 vs. 2.57 ± 0.65, p < 0.05). The number of dancers who scored 14 points or less on the FMS test before and after dynamic stretching warm-ups decreased from 50% to 0%. HS (r = 0.63, p = 0.01) and TPSU (r = 0.79, p = 0.01) were positively correlated with composite FMS scores before the intervention. After the intervention, positive correlations were observed between ASLR and composite FMS scores (r = 0.68; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Dynamic stretching warm-ups significantly improve functional movement patterns, including DS, ASLR, and composite FMS scores. It is important to use movement competency screenings in injury prevention programs.

(Low) Energy Availability and Its Association with Injury Occurrence in Competitive Dance: Cross-Sectional Analysis in Female Dancers

Background and objectives: The risk of low energy availability is related to various health problems in sports. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify a possible association between various dance factors, anthropometrics/body build, and energy availability with injury occurrence in contemporary dancers. Materials and Methods: The participants were 50 female competitive dancers (19.8 ± 4.1 years of age). The independent variables included age, dance factors (amount of training and competitions per week–exposure time, experience in dance), anthropometrics/body composition (body height, mass, BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and fat-free mass (FFM)), and energy availability score (EAS; evaluated by accelerometer-based measurement of energy expenditure and Dance Energy Availability Questionnaires). The dependent variables were the occurrence of (i) soft-tissue injuries and (ii) bone injuries. The measurements were obtained by experienced technicians during the pre-competition period for each specific dance discipline. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were calculated to identify the associations between independent variables and injury prevalence. Results: The results showed that EAS (OR = 0.81, 95% CI:0.65–0.91), age (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.1–2.46), higher BF% (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04–1.46) and BMI (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.05–2.47) were correlated with soft-tissue injuries. Dancers who suffered from bone injuries reported higher exposure time (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.37) and had lower values of FFM (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.98). Multivariate regression analyses evidenced a higher likelihood of soft-tissue injuries in older dancers (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.21–2.95) and the ones who had lower EAS (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.95) while the exposure time was associated with a higher likelihood of bone injuries (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.39). Conclusions: In order to decrease the injury prevalence among dancers, special attention should be paid to maintaining adequate nutrition that will provide optimal available energy for the demands of training and performing. Additionally, the control of training volume should be considered in order to reduce traumatic bone injuries.

Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility in Prediction of Injury in Football; Prospective Analysis over One Half-Season

Agility is an important factor in football (soccer), but studies have rarely examined the influences of different agility components on the likelihood of being injured in football. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the possible influences of sporting factors, i.e., flexibility, reactive agility (RAG), and change of direction speed (CODS), on injury occurrence over one competitive half-season, in professional football players. Participants were 129 football professional players (all males, 24.4 ± 4.7 years), who underwent anthropometrics, flexibility, and RAG and CODS (both evaluated on non-dominant and dominant side) at the beginning of second half-season 2019/20 (predictors). Over the following half-season, occurrence of injury was registered (outcome). To identify the differences between groups based on injury occurrence, t-test was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were calculated to identify the associations between predictors and outcome. Results showed incidence of 1.3 injuries per 1000 h of training/game per player, with higher likelihood for injury occurrence during game than during training (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.1, 95%CI: 1.63–5.88) Univariate logistic regression showed significant associations between players’ age (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.25–2.22), playing time (OR = 2.01, 95%CI: 1.560–2.58), and RAG (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.09–1.35, and OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.04–1.33 for RAG on dominant- and non-dominant side, respectively), and injury occurrence. The multivariate logistic regression model identified higher risk for injury in those players with longer playing times (OR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.55–2.11), and poorer results for RAG for the non-dominant side (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.02–1.28). To target those players who are more at risk of injury, special attention should be paid to players who are more involved in games, and those who with poorer RAG. Development of RAG on the non-dominant side should be beneficial for reducing the risk of injury in this sport.

Child Injury Prevention: It Is Time to Address the Determinants of Health

Injuries, although almost entirely preventable, accounted for more than 4 [...].