Prevalence and unique patterns of lower limb hypermobility in elite ballet dancers

Abstract

ObjectivesDetermine the prevalence of lower limb hypermobility in elite dancers and secondarily to describe the patterns of mobility. DesignCross sectional. SettingSelf-report questionnaires and physical assessments were undertaken at a tertiary dance institution and a professional ballet company. ParticipantsFifty-seven pre-professional and 29 professional ballet dancers (21±4years, 64% female, mean 13.7years training) were recruited. Main outcome measuresLower Limb Assessment Score (LLAS) was used to assess hypermobility. Prevalence was determined by descriptive statistics, between-leg and -group comparisons were analysed using the chi-square statistic and the pattern of mobility by cluster analyses. ResultsThe right leg was significantly more hypermobile than the left for the whole cohort (44% vs 40% meeting ≥7/12 for the LLAS; LLAS mean/12(SD): right:5.0(2.4) and 7.6(1.9); left:4.8(2.1) and 6.7(2.0) in pre-professionals and professionals respectively (p = 0.02)). Subtalar pronation (p < 0.001) and hip abduction/external rotation (left:p = 0.01; right:p < 0.001) were significantly more hypermobile bilaterally in professionals. Three hypermobility profiles on the left and four on the right lower limb were identified. ConclusionsThis paper presents unique lower limb hypermobility profiles identified in elite dancers.