Floor surfaces and injury risk: Changes in dancer landing mechanics on varied dance surfaces

Abstract

The relationship between elite dance performance on hard, non-compliant floors and injury has been the subject of much debate. A large body of evidence exists demonstrating the high incidence of injury in dancers to structures that cross the ankle joint. Dancers perform numerous landing tasks during training and performance and the ankle joint has been suggested to have specific mechanical limitations during landings. It is generally assumed that safe dance practice must incorporate the use of a ‘sprung’ or force reducing floor in order to decrease injury risk exposure.