Systematic analysis of anthropobiomechanical and pathological conditions of dancers’ feet

Abstract

The article examines the anthropometric, biomechanical and pathological conditions of dancers’ feet, which are taken into account when designing shoes for various purposes and their corrective devices. An analysis of the work of the lower limbs of classical choreography dancers is presented. The basis of ballet movements is the inversion of the legs (rotation of the legs in the hip joints with the feet turned outward), characterized by high-amplitude hip retraction, unfoldment of the knee and ankle joints, which contradicts the natural vertical position of the human body, reduces the area of foot support, but at the same time gives a feeling of greater stability of ballet posture. The qualities of the «ballet foot» due to professional necessity are considered: flexibility, elasticity, sufficient strength and strength endurance. In the process of studying body movement when performing various elements of classical ballet dance, information about the features of the basic positions of most dance movements is systematized. Due to the specific loads constantly acting on the foot, injuries and pathologies inherent in ballet dancers arise. Biomechanical disorders, occupational injuries and pathological conditions of dancers’ feet, characteristic only for ballet dancers, have been studied: thickening of the compact substance of the metatarsal bones, valgus deviation of the thumb (deformation of the first ray of the foot, characterized by reduction of the first metatarsal bone (inside) and deviation of the big (first) toe (outside), deforming arthrosis of the first metatarsal joint, the development of cyst-like restructuring of the head of the I-th metatarsal bone, etc. The connection of the occurrence of transverse and longitudinal flat feet with the constant wearing of soft or rigid ballet shoes is presented. A systematic analysis of occupational injuries and pathological conditions of ballet dancers’ feet is presented, including the cause, methods of diagnosis and prevention, and a schematic image. It is determined that in almost every case, the prevention of the occurrence of certain pathological conditions is the wearing of rational shoes, orthopedic and shoes with corrective devices, including the processes of rehabilitation of the dancer. The systematized information about the work of the lower extremities, pathological conditions, injuries and deformations of the dancers’ feet allowed us to identify the necessary parameters of everyday shoes for the prevention of various diseases. The article is part of a series of publications within the framework of scientific work