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Dance

Dancers are constantly challenging their bodies, relying on their muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance to perform and compete. Many dancers dance year-round starting when they are young, which can lead to overuse injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis. Falls, jumps, and spins can also lead to acute injuries like sprains or ruptured tendons.

 

Get Fit Tips from the NEBH Sports Performance Team

Dance requires balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength for leaping, throwing, catching, and lifting a partner. While dancers tend to focus on their individual dance movements and on their routines, they should focus just as much on basic strength and stability.

Due to the nature of dance, overuse injuries to the back, hip, Achilles tendon, and leg tend to be the most frequent. These injuries are caused by the high volume of repetition during practice. Poor technique and core weakness and instability are also major factors that can lead to injuries.

While most dancers tend to stretch well, it is something that should continuously be a focus, as it can increase flexibility and range of motion. Dancers should consider adding a strength training regimen to their workout. While Pilates is very popular for core strengthening, its ability to functionally strengthen the body for lifts and jumps is minor. Remember that strength training is not body building, and a qualified and experienced strength and conditioning specialist can design an effective program focused on the needs of your particular dance.

Preventing Injuries

To help prevent injury, make sure you practice these general safety tips:

  • Warm up and stretch before and after you dance.
  • Ensure your equipment, specifically your dance shoes, fit properly.
  • Stay hydrated while dancing.
  • Before beginning pointe training, take a pre-pointe screening.
  • Take rest days to help reduce your chance of overuse injuries. Consult with your instructor about additional ways to prevent overuse injuries.
  • Review proper dancing technique and participate in a conditioning course to strengthen your muscles, particularly ones statistically prone to injury.
  • Avoid dancing when you’re injured, and maintain dialog with your teacher and doctor about when you’ll be ready to return to dancing.
  • Have a physical examination to make sure you’re healthy to dance.

Common Injuries

Shoulder

Back, Neck, & Spine

Hip

  • Snapping hip syndrome

Leg & Knee

Foot & Ankle

Injury Statistics

  • 80% of dancers incur at least one injury a year that affects their ability to perform1
  • The foot and ankle (40%) are the most common sites of injury, followed by the lower back (17%) and the knee (16%)2
  • The rate of injuries is roughly 0.59 per 1,000 hours of class and rehearsal (athletic exposures)2
  • Remember to always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. If you have any type of persistent pain, be sure to see a doctor.

 

Remember to always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. If you have any type of persistent pain, be sure to see a doctor.

 

1 “Tackling the dangers of dance,” University of Wolverhampton, accessed January 22, 2016.
2 “Injuries in professional modern dancers: incidence, risk factors, and management,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
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