Collegiate Dancers Research Articles

The Relationship Between Dance Training Volume, Body Composition, and Habitual Diet in Female Collegiate Dancers: The Intercollegiate Artistic Athlete Research Assessment (TIAARA) Study.

This study's purpose was to evaluate the relationship between dance training volume, body composition, and habitual diet in female collegiate dancers. Thirty-three female collegiate dancers from three dance programs (20.4 ± 1.05 yrs.; 165.4 ± 11.3 cm, BMI 21.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2) participated in "The Intercollegiate Artistic Athlete Research Assessment (TIAARA)" study. We assessed dance training volume, body composition, and habitual diet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means ± SD). Two-sample t-tests were conducted to compare reported intake values versus sports nutrition recommendations. Two-tailed Pearson correlations (r) were computed for body composition and dietary intake (p < 0.05). Collegiate dancers were enrolled in 16 ± 2.09 semester credits, with 7.7 ± 3.8 credits as dance movement courses and an additional 3.0 ± 1.5 h/week of rehearsal time. Body composition assessments included fat mass (24.4 ± 6.8%), lean mass (LM) (42.4 ± 10.1 kg), and total body water (32.6 ± 4.6 L). Habitual diets reflected a low-calorie diet (1399 ± 648 kcal/d), with ~20% of dancers consuming a very low-calorie diet (≤1000 kcal/d). Dancers reported under-consuming dietary protein (54.3 ± 26.2 g) and carbohydrate (171.8 ± 77.8 g). LM was positively correlated with daily total energy (r = 0.333), fat (r = 0.37), protein (r = 0.349), and leucine intake (r = 0.352). Our findings emphasize the positive effect of adequate nutritional quantity and quality on body composition in female collegiate dancers.

The Effect of Education on the Hydration Status of Female Collegiate Dancers at Southern Utah University

The Effect of Education on the Hydration Status of Female Collegiate Dancers at Southern Utah University

Physiological Demands of Competitive Collegiate Dance.

Seifert Gonzales, AM and Stenson, MC. Physiological demands of competitive collegiate dance. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): e503-e509, 2024-Competitive collegiate dance combines elements of gymnastics and acrobatics with more traditional styles, such as ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Assessing the physiological demands and identifying clear measures of intensity and duration of such dance provide a framework for planning the competitive season and developing strength and conditioning programs. This study examined the blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 14 well-trained female dancers on a competitive collegiate dance team. Subjects completed a treadmill test to determine their lactate threshold (LT) and then performed a 120-second choreographed jazz dance routine in cumulative 30-second segments, during which physiological markers were measured. All subjects exceeded their individually determined LT values by 90 seconds into the dance routine. A moderate (rs = 0.53; p < 0.001) positive correlation was observed between HR and RPE, as was a strong (rs = 0.70; p < 0.001) positive correlation between BL and RPE. Subjects worked at or above LT for much of the 120-second jazz dance routine, indicating that competitive collegiate dance is physiologically demanding and highly anaerobic. Understanding the physiological demands of competitive collegiate dance allows strength and conditioning professionals to develop, monitor, and adjust training parameters, which will aid in minimizing injury and maximizing competitive performance in collegiate dancers.

Research on the Contemporary Value and Realization Path of Integrating Red Resources into College Dance Teaching in the Internet Era

Abstract In higher education, there is a strong emphasis on integrating ideological resources into the educational process. For majors in dance art, incorporating elements of Latin culture into the curriculum is a significant pedagogical challenge. This study utilizes the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to explore the contemporary relevance of red dance education and its determinants. Using PLS-SEM, we analyzed how red dance education in higher education impacts political identity, cultural self-confidence, and expressive capabilities related to red art among teachers and students. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the efficacy of a newly developed teaching resource library for red dance in fostering a deeper integration of red cultural elements into dance education. The findings indicate that red dance teaching positively affects contemporary values related to political identity, cultural self-assurance, and artistic expression, with β coefficients exceeding 0.23 and significance levels at 0.05. The use of the red dance teaching resource library Received positive feedback from 80% of students, with either “relatively approving” or “highly approving” responses. This research provides theoretical support and innovative pathways for the profound integration of red cultural elements into collegiate dance education, thereby enhancing the educational value of red culture within this field.

Weighting of visual and auditory inputs in dancers with and without previous ankle injury

Elite dance requires highly controlled balance performance in dynamic visual and auditory environments characterized by the use of stage lighting and music. Perturbing visual input is known to influence balance in dancers, but the effects of sounds have not been clearly established. Ankle inversion injuries are common in dancers and may also play a role in dancers' ability to respond to sensory perturbations. The aims of this study were to identify changes in static balance in response to visual or auditory perturbation in elite collegiate dancers with and without a history of ankle injury, and to describe coupling of measurements obtained from the waist and head during balance. Thirty-seven dancers: 22 controls and 15 with a history of ankle sprain, performed single-leg balance under static and dynamic visual and auditory conditions. Dancers demonstrated increased waist sway when viewing a dynamic visual scene and when presented with moving sounds and increased head sway with dynamic visuals. These results did not vary by history of ankle sprain. While dancers appear to dampen the impact of waist sway on head motion during single leg stance, even highly trained dancers may experience challenges controlling balance under perturbing visual and auditory conditions like those present during stage performance.

Collegiate Dancers With Chronic Ankle Instability Possess Altered Strength and saut de chat Leap Landing Mechanics.

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in dancers. Following one or more severe sprains, some individuals will experience residual mechanical and functional deficits, otherwise known as chronic ankle instability (CAI). Dancers who suffer from CAI may have weaker musculature surrounding the ankle and altered landing mechanics. The purpose of this study was to compare ankle strength and saut de chat landing mechanics between dancers with and without CAI. Dancers with and without CAI, defined by the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI), participated in the study (CAI n = 8; IdFAI = 18.75 ± 5.50 points; age = 20 ± 1.5 years; training = 15.5 ± 3.5 years) (Control n = 8; IdFAI = 7.13 ± 3.40 points; age = 19 ± 0.6 years; training = 15.9 ± 2.5 years). Strength and leap landing mechanics were measured on the affected ankle for the CAI group and on the preferred landing leg of a leap for the control group. Concentric and eccentric ankle plantar flexion, and subtalar inversion and eversion strength were determined with dynamometry set at an angular velocity of 60°•s-1. Force plates and motion capture cameras were used to calculate lower extremity kinematic and kinetic data as participants performed 3 saut de chat leaps. Independent t-tests were calculated to determine differences between groups. Compared to dancers without CAI, dancers with CAI had lower eccentric plantar flexor strength, landed with higher vertical ground reaction forces, and absorbed greater power at the knee-joint during landing. Whether dancers who are weaker are more prone to injury or ankle-joint injury leads to muscular weakness is unknown. Dancers with CAI appear to lack control during leap landing while concomitantly shifting loads proximally away from the ankle-joint. We encourage dancers with and without CAI to engage in additional training that enhances ankle strength.

Female Collegiate Dancers' Physical Fitness across Their Four-Year Programs: A Prospective Analysis.

Dance is physically demanding, requiring physical fitness (PF) that includes upper body, lower body, core fitness, and balance for successful performance. Whether PF changes as dancers advance from when they enter (freshmen) to when they graduate from their collegiate program (seniors) is unclear. We prospectively compared collegiate dancers' freshman-to-senior PF. We recorded PF in regard to upper body strength endurance (push-ups), core strength endurance (front, left-side, right-side, and extensor plank hold times), lower body power (single leg hop-SLH-distances % height; Leg Symmetry Index: LSI = higher/lower × 100, %), and balance (anterior reach balance, % leg length, LL; LSI balance = higher/lower × 100, %) in 23 female collegiate dancers (freshman age = 18.2 ± 0.6 years). Repeated measures ANOVAs (p ≤ 0.05) were used to compare measures from freshman to senior years. Across their collegiate programs, dancers' PF remained unchanged. Specifically, their upper body strength endurance push-up numbers (p = 0.93), their core strength endurance plank times (left: p = 0.44, right: p = 0.67, front: p = 0.60, p = 0.22), their SLH distances (left: p = 0.44, right: p = 0.85), and their symmetry (p = 0.16) stayed similar. Also, dancers' right leg (p = 0.08) and left leg balance (p = 0.06) remained similar, with better balance symmetry (p < 0.001) in seniors. Overall, dancers' PF did not change across their collegiate programs. Thus, female dancers' freshman PF may be an adequate baseline reference measure when devising rehabilitation programs and determining readiness-to-return-to-activity post injury.

Sleep, Dance Exposure Hours, and Injury Risk in Collegiate Dancers.

Sleep is essential for athletes and dancers to optimize recovery. Poor sleep negatively affects cognitive function and injury risk in athletes. Increased athletic participation (hours) is associated with decreased total sleep and quality in athletes. Still, information about how sleep is related with exposure hours and injury in collegiate dancers remains unclear. We examined the relationships among the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ), dance exposure hours (DEHr), and injuries in collegiate dancers over a 7 -month period (August 2019-February 2020). Seventy-two dancers (58 female, 14 male; 19.7 ± 1.4 years) completed the 18 question ASBQ at the start of each month (Scale:1 = Never, 5 = Always; Global Scores ≤36 = "good sleep behavior" and ≥42 = "poor sleep behavior"). A DEHr was recorded as 1 hour of dance participation in class, rehearsal, or performance. Injuries were defined as any condition where the dancer sought medical attention, and we calculated an injury rate for total injuries (IR/1000 DEHr). Pearson correlations examined relationships among ASBQ, DEHr, and injuries (P ≤ .05). Dancers participated in 467.8 ± 45.7 DEHr over 7 months, with 14 dancers suffering 18 injuries (IR = 0.5/1000-DEHr; 95% CI:0.3-0.8). Overall, dancers reported poor sleep behaviors (42.6 ± 6.4). ASBQ scores, DEHr, and injuries in August-October, and December-February were not related, except for a weak positive relationship between ASBQ scores and DEHr in November (r = .28, P = .04). Sleep, DEHr, and injuries were inconsistently related in collegiate dancers. Sleep and DEHr were only correlated during the month where dancers had 2 performance weeks. While we did not observe this relationship every month, performance weeks may have negatively affected sleep in November. Despite consistent poor sleep, sleep did not seem to negatively affect injury risk during the 7 -month study period. Future researchers should validate the ASBQ in dancers.

Descriptive Analysis of Mental and Physical Wellness in Collegiate Dancers.

Understanding the physical and mental health of collegiate dancers is important for developing appropriate screening protocols and treatment interventions. This study aims to provide descriptive data on the overall health, injury burden, and well-being of a group of collegiate dancers, including the interactions between injury, nutrition, and mental health, to provide insight for wellness screening and interventions in collegiate dance programs. Members of the School of Dance at the University of Utah were sent an electronic general health survey. The survey included questions regarding medical history, family history, injuries, diet, sleep quality, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and history of eating disorders. Of the 231 dancers who received the survey, 198 responded (response rate = 85.7%). Fifty 2% of respondents had an active injury. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were common (35.4%), and 37.4% of the dancers were interested in receiving mental health support. Symptoms of depression and anxiety had a significant association with both a history of injury and active injuries (P = .033 and .039, respectively). History of eating disorder was also significantly associated with active injuries (P = .005). The most commonly injured body area was ankle or foot (n = 144, 72.7%), followed by lower leg or shin (n = 76, 38.4%), and knee (n = 61, 30.8%). Over a quarter of the dancers (n = 54, 27.3%) reported having trouble sleeping, and 9.1% reported having a history of eating disorder. This study highlights the important interplay between mental health, sleep, nutrition, and injury. These results show that in a group of collegiate dancers, active injuries and mental health concerns are common, and that there are statistically significant associations between injury, nutrition, and mental health. These data provide insight into factors that affect dancer wellness and help inform future screening and intervention protocols for dance programs.

The Effect of Foot Position and Lean Mass on Jumping and Landing Mechanics in Collegiate Dancers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot positioning and lean mass on jumping and landing mechanics in collegiate dancers. Thirteen dancers performed 3 unilateral and bilateral vertical jumps with feet in neutral and turnout positions. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, jump height, vertical stiffness, and joint stiffness were assessed for relationships between foot positions. Jump heights were greater in right compared with left limb (P = .029) and neutral compared with turnout (P = .020) during unilateral jumping. In unilateral landing, knee stiffness was greater in turnout compared with neutral (P = .004) during the loading phase. Jump height (P < .001) was significantly increased, and vertical stiffness (P = .003) was significantly decreased during bilateral jumping in neutral compared with turnout. Significantly increased hip stiffness during the attenuation phase was observed in neutral compared with turnout (P = .006). Left-limb lean mass was significantly less than the right limb (P < .05). Adjustments for bilateral jumping were focused on hip stiffness, whereas there was a slight shift to knee strategy for unilateral jump.

Comparing Lumbar Lordosis in Functional Dance Positions in Collegiate Dancers With and Without Low Back Pain.

Limited research has explored the relationship between lumbar lordosis and incidence of low back pain in dancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between lumbar lordosis in functional dance positions and low back pain (LBP). Thirty full-time undergraduate ballet and modern collegiate dancers (28 female, 2 male) from three university dance programs participated in this study. Functional lumbar lordosis, hip passive range of motion, and core endurance were measured in a single session. Dancers participated in weekly follow-up surveys over a 4-month period to track the presence and severity of LBP. Primary analysis was performed using independent t-tests between groups who did and did not develop pain. Secondary analyses were performed using Pearson's r correlation. Eleven dancers reported no pain during the follow-up period, 16 reported pain, and three did not respond to follow-up surveys. Lumbar lordosis in right developpé á la seconde and right retiré was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the group who reported pain compared to the group who reported no pain. Increased hold times in the supine bridge position was shown to be fairly correlated (p < 0.05) to reduced lumbar lordosis in first position (Pearson's r = 0.381), left retiré (Pearson's r = 0.396), and right developpé á la seconde (Pearson's r = 0.365). The results of this study suggest a relationship between increased lumbar lordosis in the retiré and developpé á la seconde dance positions and development of LBP. Increased endurance of posterior core musculature and gluteal muscles was inversely related to the magnitude of lumbar lordosis in some dance-specific positions. The measurement of lumbar lordosis during functional dance positions, particularly those requiring single leg stances, may help identify collegiate dancers with increased risk of developing low back pain.

Instrumented measures of postural control in college dancers with and without chronic ankle instability

ObjectivesTo determine whether collegiate dancers with chronic ankle instability (CAI) demonstrated impaired postural control during instrumented measures of single-leg static balance compared to dancers without CAI. DesignCross sectional design. SettingUniversity dance studios. ParticipantsWe included N = 39 dance majors from a large, public university. We stratified participants into CAI (n = 20, age = 20 ± 1.8, IdFAI = 17.3 ± 5.7, number of sprains = 1.9 ± 1.1) and Control groups (n = 19, age = 20 ± 1.2, IdFAI = 2.5 ± 3.0). Main outcome measuresParticipants performed 3 x 10-s single-leg, static balance trials on a pressure mat in two different conditions, foot-flat eyes closed and demi-pointe eyes open. We measured six different time-to-boundary (TTB) measurements during each balance trial and calculated the average of the 3 trials for each condition. Participants also completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) sport and activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaires. ResultsThe CAI group reported greater IdFAI and lower FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sport scores compared to the control group. We observed no significant differences in TTB measurements between the CAI and control groups during either balance conditions. ConclusionsInstrumented measures of static postural control were not impaired in college dancers with CAI compared dancers without CAI.

Comparisons Of Anthropometric And Fitness Evaluations To Skill Level In Collegiate Dancers

Collegiate dancers are oftentimes critiqued by their body composition and visual appearance. Having a lean physique and strong physical fitness is expected within the dance industry. To date, no studies have been conducted on the effects physical fitness has on the skill of a collegiate dancer in Pom, Hip-Hop, and Cheer routines. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between a dancer’s fitness and their execution of technical dance skills throughout various routines. METHODS: Collegiate dancers (N = 13) completed nineteen anthropometric and fitness evaluations (mean ± SD). The tests were height (1.64 ± 0.05 m), weight (59.09 ± 6.00 kg), body mass index (22.4 ± 1.73 kg/m²), percent body fat (27.27 ± 6.37 %), skeletal muscle mass (23.45 ± 2.79 kg), body fat mass (16.24 ± 4.64 kg), waist circumference (67.92 ± 3.63 cm), hip circumference (89.48 ± 15.39 cm), left and right leg length (88.7 ± 4.81 cm; 87.9 ± 4.64 cm), sit and reach (45.8 ± 4.05 cm), external hip rotation for left and right leg (27.6 ± 9.51 cm; 27.7 ± 11.05 cm), hip abduction for left and right leg (47.6 ± 8.89 cm; 48.2 ± 9.2 cm), Star Excursion Test for left and right leg (30.25 ± 2.11 cm; 30.43 ± 2.21 cm) Functional Movement Screen (19.15 ± 1.63), vertical jump (39.95 ± 7.01 cm), grip strength for left and right hand (22.77 ± 5.47 kg; 23.69 ± 3.59 kg), passe releve for left and right leg (3.33 ± 2.54 sec; 3.47 ± 3.62 sec), Wingate (636.77 ± 99.87 W), push-ups (34.15 ± 8.18), and sit-ups (40.77 ± 8.86). Once anthropometric and fitness evaluations were completed, participants were scored from different judges on three routines; Pom, Hip-Hop, and Cheer. RESULTS: Through further evaluation of the Star Excursion Test, the anterolateral movement negatively correlated with scores for Pom, Hip-Hop, and Cheer routines. No other relationships were observed between any other variables. CONCLUSIONS: A negative correlation between the anterolateral movement of ankle stability and the various routines suggests dancers with less anterolateral stability score higher than those with more anterolateral ankle stability. Although a decrease in ankle stability has been linked to injury, this study suggests that an increase in ankle stability may lead to lower dance scores.

A Qualitative Investigation of What “Body Awareness” Means to Dancers at A Public Midwestern University

ABSTRACT The following study is a phenomenological qualitative analysis of collegiate dancers’ experiences with and perceptions of body awareness and somatic movement. Participants (n = 8) were trained dancers, although not dance majors. Semi-structured interviews explored what kinds of experiences dancers have had in the realm of body awareness, what their perceptions of these experiences are, and what kinds of effects they believe body awareness can have on their health and/or dance practice. Results show that participants defined body awareness as a complex process of mirroring, noticing, knowing, and controlling the body. Experiences with yoga and injury taught participants to learn more about their body’s structure and limits, but formal experience with somatic movement techniques was limited. Results of this study could be used to improve dance education at the college level, advance the level of inquiry into the benefits of somatic practices, and ultimately contribute to the improved health of dancers as a population.

Foot arch height, toe flexor strength, and dynamic balance ability in collegiate female dancers and non-dancers.

[Purpose] To characterize the foot arch height, toe flexor strength, and dynamic balance ability of collegiate female dancers and age-matched non-dancers. [Participants and Methods] This study included 20 healthy college-aged female dancers (21.6 ± 0.8 years) and 20 age-matched females (19.7 ± 1.0 years) with no previous experience in sports as non-dancers. Foot arch height was determined by measuring the height of the navicular tuberosity in the standing position using a ruler. Toe flexor strength was measured while seated on a chair using a toe grip dynamometer. Dynamic balance ability was evaluated based on the reach distance measured using a professional Y-balance test kit. [Results] The collegiate dancers had higher foot arches, greater toe flexor strength, and longer Y-balance test reach distance than the non-dancers. [Conclusion] The foot arch height, toe flexor strength, and dynamic balance ability of collegiate female dancers were adapted through years of training and were superior to those of non-dancers.

Not Just Pretty Girls with Pom Poms: An Argument for the NCAA and the Office of Civil Rights to Recognize Collegiate Dance Teams as a Sport

Not Just Pretty Girls with Pom Poms: An Argument for the NCAA and the Office of Civil Rights to Recognize Collegiate Dance Teams as a Sport

Protein Supplementation Does Not Improve Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness in Collegiate Dancers Performing Cycling Based High Intensity Interval Training.

The effects of a 6-week cycling high-intensity interval training (HIIT) concurrently with protein supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic fitness and body composition in collegiate dancers was investigated. Eighteen participants enrolled in a collegiate dance program were matched into three groups: high-protein (HP; 90 g˙d-1), moderate-protein (MP; 40 g˙d-1), and control (C; 0 g˙d-1). All participants performed a 6-week HIIT intervention. Participants completed a graded exercise test, Wingate anaerobic test (Wingate), and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan before and after the intervention. Peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak), peak power output (PPO), lactate threshold (LT), and ventilatory thresholds 1 (VT1 ) and 2 (VT₂) were assessed during the graded exercise test. Peak power output, mean power output (MPO), and fatigue index (FI) were assessed during the Wingate. Lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), visceral adipose tissue, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index were assessed during dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Body composition index (BCI) was calculated from pre and post LM and FM. Habitual diet was recorded weekly. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. No significant differences in VO2peak and percent fat mass (%FM) were observed between groups prior to the intervention. Significant main effects for time were observed for HRpeak (p = 0.02), VO2peak (p < 0.001), PPO (p < 0.01), LT (p < 0.001), VT1 (p < 0.001), and VT₂ (p < 0.001) during the graded exercise test, and PPO (p < 0.01) and FI (p < 0.01) during the Wingate. Significant main effects for time were observed for LM (kg; p = 0.01) and FM (kg; p < 0.01). Body composition index was improved for all groups, however, no significant differences by group were observed. No significant differences were observed between groups for the measured outcomes (p > 0.05). Therefore, there was no effect of protein supplementation in the short 6-week intervention. This cycling based HIIT routine increased physical fitness, optimized aesthetics, and was a simple addition to an existing collegiate dance curriculum.

Estimation of body fat in female collegiate dancers via BMI-based equations and air displacement plethysmography

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three body mass index (BMI) based equations (BEQ) used to estimate body-fat percentage (BF%) in female-collegiate dancers in relation to air-displacement plethysmography (AP). Methods: Data from 28 collegiate dancers were assessed for this study. Body mass and height were measured to calculate BMI. Three BEQ to estimate BF% [Jackson et al. (JBMI), Deurenberg et al. (DBMI), and Womersley & Durnin (WBMI)] were compared to BF% estimated via AP. Results: The following estimates of BF% were produced: AP = 24.6 ± 4.7%; JBMI = 21.9 ± 4.0%; DBMI = 23.8 ± 2.2%; and WBMI = 24.7 ± 2.5%. There were no differences (p > 0.05) for the BF% estimations between AP, DBMI, or WBMI. However, BF% estimated via JBMI was lower than AP (p = 0.04), DBMI (p < 0.001), and WBMI (p < 0.001). Only moderate correlations were found between AP and BEQ (JBMI, r = 0.43; DBMI, r = 0.44; WBMI, r = 0.43). The limits of agreement (constant error ± 1.96 SD) for each BEQ compared to AP were: JBMI = -2.6 ­­± 9.1%; DBMI = -0.8 ­­± 8.1%; and WBMI = 0.2 ± 8.2%. Conclusions: Two BEQ produced similar group means to AP. However, all BEQ had a wide range of individual differences when compared to AP. An accurate, inexpensive, and practically feasible method of assessing body composition is valuable for sport practitioners. The results of this study demonstrate that DBMI and WBMI may be acceptable in a field setting for estimating BF% for a large group of female collegiate dancers. However, due to the large range of differences, none of the BMI-based equations should be utilized to predict BF% for individuals. It is suggested that other field methods of predicting BF% be used in female collegiate dancers due to individual error of BEQs and potential harm in providing misinformation. Key Words: air-displacement, body mass index, percent fat, dancers

Development Of Aerobic Fitness Norms In Collegiate Dancers: A 12 Year Prospective Longitudinal Study

Development Of Aerobic Fitness Norms In Collegiate Dancers: A 12 Year Prospective Longitudinal Study

Prevalence of Movement Dysfunction in Female Collegiate Dancers

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) is a screening instrument developed to identify basic movement dysfunctions that may increase musculoskeletal injury risk potential. To date there are no published normative values for the FMS™ in dancers; consequently, this study sought to establish those values in addition to identifying the prevalence and nature of movement dysfunction in collegiate dancers. The functional movement proficiency of 111 collegiate dancers was determined using the FMS™, which provides three variables of interest: 1. FMS™ total score, 2. number of asymmetries (unequal performance of right and left sides), and 3. number of move- ment pattern dysfunctions. Total FMS™ scores ranged from 11 to 20 out of 21 possible points, with a mean of 16.42 (SD = 1.72). Forty-four percent of dancers presented with one or more asymmetries and 43% demonstrated one or more dysfunctional movement patterns. The active straight-leg raise was the most proficiently performed movement pattern, while the deep squat, hurdle step, and rotary stability were the least proficient. Functional Movement Screen outcome scores indicated that dysfunctional movement patterns and asymmetries exist in collegiate dancers. Additional research is needed to establish normative FMS TM scores for the different genres and levels of dance and establish the relationship between FMS™ scores and injury risk potential, and if that relationship is established, determine the efficacy of the FMS™ to develop intervention programs for injury prevention.