Combining massage with stretching increases the short-term flexibility of the fascia lata complex: A repeated measures study

Abstract

quantify lower extremity alignment. Overuse dance injuries were diagnosed and recorded by a physiotherapist for the duration of this six month study. The injury rate ratio (RR) associated with each baseline variable was estimated using over-dispersed Poisson regression modelling. Results: Fifty-nine injurieswere recordedwith an overall injury incidence of 3.52 injuries per 1000 dance exposures or 2.40 injuries per 1000 dance hours. Changes in right foot length (RR=1.41, CI = 0.93–2.13), right knee angles during the fondu (RR=0.68, CI = 0.45–1.03) and temps levE (RR=0.72, CI = 0.53–0.98), andpelvic angles during the temps levE on the left (RR=0.52, CI = 0.30–0.90) and fondu on the right (RR=1.28, CI = 0.91–1.80) were associated with clear changes in injury risk that were likely to be substantial. Discussion: Rate of growth in elite adolescent ballet dancers is likely associatedwith an increase in risk of lower extremity overuse injury. Better right lower extremity alignment is likely associated with a reduction in risk of right lower extremity overuse injury. Observed changes in risk were associated with several other factors, although the effects were unclear and these warrant further investigation.