The acuity of joint position sense in elite ballet dancers

Abstract

Introduction: It has been recognized that ballet dancers have a high postural balance ability compared with other athletes and controls (Gerbino et al 2007). On the other hand, there are reports that dancers have less balance control (larger body sway) when their eyes are closed, and there is an increased demand of proprioceptive information (Hugel et al 1999). Ballet dancers tend to have a large range of motion (ROM) on the ankle joint and elongated connective tissues because of the usage of the pointe shoe. Several studies have demonstrated that people who have joint hypermobility or ankle instability have less joint position sense (Rombault et al 2010). We hypothesized that ballet dancers have less acuity of joint position sense (JPS) because of the larger ROM and decreased tonic stretch reflex.