Young Dancers Research Articles

Impact of various training programs on lower limb biomechanics in adolescent Latin dancers

Latin dance attracts many young dancers globally. While these adolescents exhibit flexibility and imitation skills, their muscular strength and neuromuscular control often fall short, making complex movements challenging. Thus, incorporating functional training methods is essential for enhancing performance and reducing injury risk. This study, a total of 30 adolescent female Latin dancers aged 12–14 years with at least one year of training and competition experience were recruited for this study and randomly divided into two groups: One group of 15 students (average height 154.37 ± 3.82 cm, average weight 45.31 ± 5.29 kg) received traditional Latin dance training, and the other group of 15 students (15 students average height 154.73 ± 4.28 cm, average weight 44.63 ± 4.37 kg) received traditional Latin dance training and based on traditional Latin dance training, functional exercise was carried out for 12 weeks. A Vicon motion capture system, force platform, and electromyography were used to collect biomechanical data. Paired samples t-tests assessed significant differences between groups pre- and post-intervention. The experimental group showed significant improvements post-intervention: in the sagittal plane, ankle joint angles improved by 14.01% to 52.21% (p < 0.001); in the coronal plane, knee joint angles increased by 0% to 31.21% (p < 0.001) and 66.67% to 100% (p < 0.001); in the horizontal plane, hip joint angles improved by 4.99% to 76.00% (p < 0.001). Muscle activation showed significant increases in gastrocnemius lateral (p = 0.016), gluteus maximus (p = 0.001), tibialis anterior (p = 0.014), and rectus femoris (p < 0.001). Functional training enhances joint flexibility, muscle activation, balance, and overall performance in adolescent Latin dancers. Integrating functional training into regular routines can improve athletic performance and lower injury risk, informing the development of targeted training programs.

Pointe Readiness in Youth Ballet Dancers: A Pilot Study on Dance Instructor Decision Making.

Introduction: Transiting to dancing en pointe is an important milestone for young dancers who wish to progress in ballet training. Various criteria exist regarding pointe readiness, including age, range-of-motion, endurance, strength, balance, and technique. However, awareness and use of these criteria by dance instructors is currently unknown. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the awareness and use of pointe readiness criteria by youth ballet instructors. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey study design was used, which included questions regarding dance instruction experience, dance studio characteristics, and criteria used to assess pointe readiness. Ballet instructors were recruited for participation. Data are presented as percentages and frequencies. Results: Thirty-one ballet instructors completed the survey from 15 states (1 international). Years of pointe ballet instruction ranged from 2 to 30+ years, with 35% indicating more than 30 years of experience. Instructors reported students begin pointe at age 11.8 years (range 9-15 years). A majority of instructors require 5 years of ballet experience prior to dancing en pointe (range 2-8 years). Reported pointe readiness criteria included strength (100%), dance technique (94%), age (87%), and years of ballet experience (71%). While all instructors reported evaluating a dancer's strength, assessments of flexibility and movement quality were not evaluated by 42% and 45% of instructors, respectively. Strength, dance technique, and age were rated as the greatest indicators of a dancer's readiness to begin pointe. Finally, instructors reported low knowledge of existing pointe readiness criteria. Conclusion: Ballet instructors initiated pointe work at age 12 and required 5 years of ballet experience before beginning to dance en pointe. While strength, dance technique, and age were the top considerations for evaluating readiness, approximately 40% of instructors did not evaluate flexibility or movement quality prior to progressing to pointe, and overall, knowledge of existing criteria was low.

Walking histories: narratives of young urban dancers in the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to investigate the construction of street dances in the city of Rio de Janeiro, describing urban dancers and their daily ‘art of doing’, listening to their voices and observing their physical and virtual interactions. In this paper, a specific methodological approach is applied towards a tactical plan in order to understand the urban dance phenomenon within the universe of hip-hop culture. This particular approach includes the analysis of eleven narratives of young dancers and their everyday experiences, their personal life stories, interlinked with categories such as masculinity and business. The results reveal the complexity of hip-hop and street-dance culture in general, and specifically among young Brazilians. The narratives of these young men have provided an effective means for representing hip-hop dancers’ concerns and bodily articulations in order to comprehend their dance practice and the construction of spaces, but also indicate aesthetic and commercial dimensions.

Effects Of Sport Specialization On Participation, Training, And Injury In Young Female Dancers

Effects Of Sport Specialization On Participation, Training, And Injury In Young Female Dancers

Hip Range of Motion and Strength in Young Pre-Professionals Ballet Dancers Versus Non-Dancers.

Introduction: Lower-extremity external rotation, commonly known as turnout, is a fundamental skill in dance. Limited data exist regarding joint range of motion and strength in pre-professional young dancers and non-dancers. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in hip range of motion and hip strength between pre-professional ballet dancers and non-dancers. Additionally, the study assessed the variations between the left and right sides within each group. Methods: This observational study assessed 60 pre-professional ballet dancers and 31 non-dancers with an average age of 11.91 ± 1.49. Evaluation included passive hip rotation, tibial torsion, total passive turnout measured with digital goniometers, and total active turnout (both static and dynamic) through standing on paper and rotational discs. Hip rotation strength was measured using a force sensor device. Statistical analyses encompassed student t-tests, Pearson's correlations, and ANCOVA with age and body weight as covariates, applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Ballet dancers exhibited greater passive hip external rotation and lower passive hip internal rotation compared to non-dancers. They also demonstrated superior total active turnout (static and dynamic). After adjusting for age and weight, dancers demonstrated significantly higher hip external rotation strength than non-dancers. Hip internal rotation strength did not differ significantly between the groups. Ballet dancers displayed inherent asymmetry, with the left side showing greater tibial torsion and standing active turnout, while the right side exhibited greater hip external rotation during dynamic active turnout. Non-dancers did not show significant side differences. Conclusions: Young pre-professional ballet dancers exhibited significant hip rotation differences compared to non-dancers, including notable right-left asymmetry. These findings should be considered when planning training, aiming to optimize musculoskeletal attributes and promote balanced hip rotation. Recognizing these asymmetries and addressing muscular imbalances is vital for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Dancing Well with Mindfulness

ABSTRACT Mindfulness has recently flooded the health and wellness social media landscape. With roots in Buddhism, mindfulness is a skill of attention involving focusing on the present moment with curiosity and nonjudgment. Mindfulness practices, including meditation, have many benefits for busy young dance students, who often face a unique combination of stresses around social comparison, self-doubt, body image issues, performance anxiety, and increasingly overscheduled lifestyles. Many may lack an understanding of mindfulness or misperceive its components. Persistent stigmas around mental health may also keep students from openly experimenting with mindfulness practices. The purpose of this article is to concisely define mindfulness for dance students, its potential benefits, and considerations for how mindful practices, particularly meditation, can be integrated into dance students’ lives.

Relationship Between Sport Specialization and Quality of Life in Young Female Dancers.

To compare quality of life (QoL) between specialized and non-specialized young female dancers. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Young female dancers between the ages of 8-17 years completed the validated pediatric QoL inventory (PedsQL 4.0) and answered the following sport specialization questions: 1) Do you solely perform dance?, 2) Did you quit other sports to focus on dance?, and 3) Do you participate in dance more than 8 months per year? Dancers who responded "yes" to all 3 questions were classified as specialized, while dancers who answered "no" to any of the 3 questions were classified as non-specialized. PedsQL 4.0 subscales (physical, psychosocial, emotional, social, and school) and total scores were compared between specialized and non-specialized dancers using the Mann-Whitney U test with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. As subgroup analyses, the comparisons were repeated with dancers under 12 years (≤12 years) and over 13 years (≥13 years) old. A total of 72 young female dancers were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 12.5 (SD 2.5) years. No QoL differences were found in any subscale or total scores when comparing specialized and non-specialized dancers. However, differences were detected in subgroup analyses. In the dancers ≤12 years, psychosocial and total scores were higher in specialized dancers (57.9%, n=22) compared to non-specialized dancers (42.1%, n=16) (psychosocial p=0.045; total p=0.035). Conversely, in the dancers ≥13 years, psychosocial, emotional, and total scores were lower for specialized dancers (88.2%, n=30) compared to non-specialized dancers (11.8%, n=4) (psychosocial p=0.024; emotional p=0.049; total p=0.024). Our study found that QoL did not differ by sport specialization status when the entire sample was analyzed. However, in subgroup analysis, QoL was higher in specialized dancers in the ≤12 years than non-specialized dancers. Conversely, specialized dancers ≥13 years showed lower QoL than non-specialized dancers. Further studies are necessary to further investigate the difference in QoL when comparing younger to relatively older adolescent female dancers.

Quality of Life Measures in Young Pre-Professional Dancers Compared to Non-Athletes and Non-Dancer Athletes.

Aim: To investigate quality of life (QoL) measures in a cohort of young female dancers. Methods: Cross-sectional survey study design was utilized to study dancers 8 to 17 years enrolled in two elite dance schools in the Boston area. The main outcome measure was the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL 4.0) questionnaire, a validated QoL survey for children, with established normative values for comparison. Demographics and questions pertaining to training regimens and injury/illness history were also included. Sub-groups (8-11 years, 12-14 years, and 15-17 years) were created to analyze outcomes by age. Results: One hundred and forty emails were delivered, 72 were completed and included in the final data analysis (51.4%). The median scores for physical, psychosocial, emotional, social, and school PedsQL sub-scales were 87.5, 90.0, 80.0, 100.0, and 92.5, respectively. The median score of the total PedsQL scores was 88.8. No difference in QoL outcomes by age group was found (physical: P = .328; psychosocial: P = .918; emotional: P = .673; social: P = .573; school: P = 0.962; total: P = 0.766). 52.5% of the participants responded that they regularly perform in shows. Median hours/week of dance rehearsal was 10 hours (mean ± standard deviation: 10.3 ± 4.9; 95% CI: 9.0, 11.6; IQR: 7.0, 13.5; range: 2.0, 20.0) and 68.9% reported they practice and rehearse throughout the entire calendar year as opposed to solely during the school year; most dancers reported participating in dance 11 months (median value) per year (mean ± standard deviation: 10.7 ± 0.8; 95% CI: 10.5, 11.0; IQR: 10.0, 11.0; range: 9.0, 12.0). Conclusion: QoL measures for young female dancers were higher relative to existing data for the general population and lower compared to other sports participation. These results will support the social, emotional, and physical health of young dancers.

Breaking silos: the effectiveness of a knowledge integration approach for dance curricula

ABSTRACT The knowledge integration (KI) approach has been widely studied and recommended for improving the learning and teaching of science subjects (biology, physics, etc.). If the cognitive processes of learning, however, do not vary across domains, then what is helpful for science should also be helpful for dance. Choosing the teaching and learning of an improvisational and creative dance as a case on the far opposite end from the usual seated and normative science curriculum, one randomized-controlled trial and one before-after intervention trial were conducted to test if a KI curriculum is more effective than a common curriculum. Both trials found the KI approach significantly more effective in improving the performance of young dancers. As found, KI can be effectively applied to the curriculum design of breakdance, thus providing evidence to support the universality of this approach. It is implied that KI can, ergo, benefit learners of more subjects, including the artful ones, and need not be siloed as relevant only for science education.

The role of muscle function and pointe shoe characteristics in Arabesque movement among ballet dancers with non-specific low back pain

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate posterior chain muscle function and the influence of pointe shoes in ballet dancers with and without low back pain (LBP) in the Arabesque. Twenty-nine young professional ballet dancers (17 with LBP and 12 healthy controls) were recruited. Muscle strength and mechanical properties of the erector spinae and hamstrings were assessed. The displacement of centre of mass (COM) during Arabesque under different shoe conditions (R-class, Chacott, and own shoes) was measured with a motion capture system. The LBP group exhibited greater dynamic stiffness and decreased mechanical stress relaxation time in the lateral hamstring compared to the control group. During Arabesque, the LBP group demonstrated significantly greater anterior-posterior displacement of the COM and a larger percentage of time to achieve maximal trunk extension angle. The COM displacement in vertical and medial-lateral directions was smaller in the R-class than in their own shoes. LBP impacts muscle mechanical properties, particularly in the lateral hamstring. The compromised muscle function resulted in a longer time to spinal extension during Arabesque, signifying that reduced trunk control contributed to greater COM displacement. Hence, it is essential to emphasise that evaluating muscle properties and dynamic postural control is imperative for dancers experiencing LBP.

Preventing eating pathology among elite adolescent ballet dancers: a pilot trial of the Athlete Body Project

ABSTRACT Adolescent ballet dancers are commonly recognized as aesthetic athletes who are at higher risk for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and eating disorders. Although athletic participation can generally protect against negative mental and physical health outcomes, idealization of a body ideal specific to ballet can confer unique vulnerability for eating pathology. Despite this known vulnerability, rigorous efforts to prevent eating pathology among young dancers are lacking. Previously, we reported on a trial of the Female Athlete Body Project adapted for professional female ballet dancers. The current study tested a subsequent adaptation, the Athlete Body Project (ABP), tailored for younger dancers, including a version for boys. This non-randomized, uncontrolled pilot trial tested ABP among boys and girls in two elite ballet schools (N = 23), formatted in-person and via video-conferencing. Program delivery met benchmarks for feasibility and acceptability across gender and delivery formats, and dancers provided positive qualitative feedback. Overall results suggest the potential of ABP in intervening on pre-post eating pathology and body appreciation, and significantly decreasing drive for muscularity among young ballet dancers. Taken together, this pilot work addresses a gap in the field and advances the needed development of eating disorder prevention programming for young, high-risk aesthetic athletes.

Wheelchair Dance: Exploring a Novel Approach to Enhance Wheelchair Skills, Belongingness and Inclusion among Children with Mobility Limitations

Playful approaches are recommended to enhance wheelchair skills training with young people. Inclusive dance allows participants to discover motor skills and improve social participation. Integrating wheelchair skills training into dance has not been evaluated. This study aimed to explore participants’ experiences in dance while integrating wheelchair skills, and the influence of dance on wheelchair skills and wheelchair use confidence in young people. A convergent mixed-methods design was used during a one-week dance camp. Data collection combined observations, two focus groups (with young dancers who used manual wheelchairs and with professional dancers without disabilities), and evaluation of wheelchair skills and confidence. Data analyses included deductive thematic analysis guided by the Quality Parasport Participation Framework, merged with pre–post comparisons in wheelchair skills and confidence. Three young female dancers were 11, 12 and 15 years of age and three professional female dancers were 22, 27 and 27 years of age. Emergent themes included skill mastery, belongingness, and supportive environments. There were improvements in wheelchair skills and confidence (16.7%, 19.4%, 16.7%; 0.8%, 11.4%, 4.5%, respectively). Participants described overall positive experiences with the dance camp and perceived enhanced skills and confidence. This study advances knowledge about innovative approaches to integrate wheelchair skills training for young people. Future larger-scale controlled studies are needed to determine efficacy.

The effects of eccentric training on hamstring flexibility and strength in young dance students

The objective of this research is to examine the impact of eccentric training on hamstring flexibility and strength in young dancers during the concluding stages of their foundational dance training program. A total of 24 female, second-year dance students from Hebei Normal University were selected as participants. They were divided into three distinct groups: Nordic hamstring exercise and single-leg deadlift group (NHE&SLD), forward bending exercises and standing leg lift group (FBE&SLL), and a control group (CG). The study was designed around a 6-week training regimen. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure seated knee flexor–extensor strength, while electronic goniometry was employed to measure hamstring flexibility in the supine position. Paired sample t-tests were conducted within each group, and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was utilized for comparisons between groups. In the NHE&SLD group, significant disparities were observed in both concentric (T = − 5.687, P = 0.001) and eccentric (T = − 3.626, P = 0.008) hamstring strength pre and post-intervention. The pre-intervention dominant leg concentric strength test values significantly influenced the post-intervention outcomes (F = 5.313, P = 0.001, η2 = 0.840). Similarly, the pre-intervention dominant leg eccentric strength test values impacted the post-intervention results (F = 4.689, P = 0.043, η2 = 0.190). Following the intervention, the NHE&SLD group displayed marked changes in the active straight leg raising angle on both left (T = − 4.171, P = 0.004) and right (T = − 6.328, P = 0.001) sides. The FBE&SLL group also revealed significant changes in the active straight leg raising angle on both left (T = − 4.506, P = 0.003) and right (T = − 4.633, P = 0.002) sides following the intervention. The pre-intervention left leg concentric strength test value significantly influenced the post-intervention outcomes (F = 25.067, P = 0.001, η2 = 0.556). Likewise, the pre-intervention right leg eccentric strength test value significantly influenced the post-intervention results (F = 85.338, P = 0.01, η2 = 0.810). Eccentric training can better enhance the flexibility and strength of hamstring muscles in dance students. Traditional stretching training significantly improves the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Eccentric training has more training benefits than traditional stretching training. It is recommended for dance students to use eccentric training when increasing hamstring flexibility and strength.

The Influence of Psychokinetic Therapy on Stress and Motor Performance in Young Dancers Aged 18 - 19 Years

The Influence of Psychokinetic Therapy on Stress and Motor Performance in Young Dancers Aged 18 - 19 Years

Lower extremity characteristics and postural alignment in young pre-professional dancers

ABSTRACT Lower extremities (LE) play a fundamental role in ballet technique, yet they are not often assessed as thoroughly as other areas of the body in the youngest pre-professional dancers. The aim of this study was to assess the functional and structural characteristics in the LE of first-grade dance conservatory students to a more thorough extent. This study included a manual assessment of LE length in supine and sitting positions, measuring passive hip internal rotation (PHIR) and external rotation (PHER), comparing PHIR/PHER between both sides, functional assessment and visual inspection of rear and forefoot, classification of joint mobility, and inspection of postural alignment. Seventy-eight young dance students (9.5 ± 2.5 years, 91% female) were evaluated. Over 60% presented LE length discrepancy in both supine and sitting positions. Asymmetry of PHIR and PHER was detected. Signs of increased pronation were observed in 62.8% of cases, and 24.4% presented indications of postural asymmetry and/or scoliosis. Including the tests performed in this study in dance screenings may help in detecting functional characteristics of LE earlier. These in turn might affect the performance of young students; but if detected early, they can be assisted with correction or treatment.

Prevalence of dance-related injuries and associated risk factors among children and young Chinese dance practitioners.

While Chinese dance is a popular dance genre among Chinese teenagers and adults, little is known regarding the prevalence of dance-related injuries or factors associated with such injuries among Chinese dance practitioners. The current cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of dance-related injuries and their associated risk factors among young Chinese dance practitioners in Hong Kong. Online surveys were distributed to dancers through local dance associations, while paper-based surveys were distributed to young Chinese dance performers during the 54th School Dance Festival in Hong Kong. Self-reported hours of dancing, injuries in the last 12 months, injury sites, and related factors were collected. The injury rate, 12-month prevalence of dance-related injuries were determined. Risk factors for common dance injuries were analyzed using separate multivariate regression models. A total of 175 children (aged 10-14 years) and 118 young (aged 15-24 years) Chinese dance practitioners provided their dance injury information. Young dancers had a significantly higher injury rate (6.5 injuries vs 4.6 injuries/1000 dance hours) and 12-month prevalence (52.5% vs 19.4%) than their child counterparts. The most commonly injured sites were the knee (children:7.4%; young:15.3%), lower back (children: 4.6%; young: 9.5%), and ankles (children: 5.1%; young: 16.9%). Age was a significant independent risk factor for dance-related injuries to the upper back, lower back, and pelvis/buttock (odds ratios ranging from 1.2 to 1.3/additional years). Additionally, height was a significant independent risk factor for lower limb injury (odds ratios ranging from 1.0-1.1/additional centimeter). Collectively, young Chinese dance practitioners are more vulnerable to dance-related injuries than are child dancers. Older age increases the risk of trunk injuries, whereas taller dancers are more likely to sustain lower-limb injuries. Future research should determine the mechanisms underlying dance-related injuries among these dancers.

WALKING HISTORIES: NARRATIVES OF YOUNG URBAN DANCERS IN THE CITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL)

The aim of the study is to investigate the construction of street dances in the city of Rio de Janeiro, describing urban dancers and their daily 'art of doing', listening to their voices and observing their physical and virtual interactions. In this paper, a specific methodological approach is applied towards a tactical plan in order to understand the urban dance phenomenon within the universe of hip-hop culture. This particular approach includes the analysis of eleven narratives of young dancers and their everyday experiences, their personal life stories, interlinked with categories such as masculinity and business. The results reveal the complexity of hip-hop and street-dance culture in general, and specifically among young Brazilians. The narratives of these young men have provided an effective means for representing hip-hop dancers’ concerns and bodily articulations in order to comprehend their dance practice and the construction of spaces, but also indicate aesthetic and commercial dimensions. Keywords: Hip-hop; dance; urban; masculinity; Brazil.

Dynamic Gait Stability and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters During Overground Walking in Professional Ballet Dancers.

Introduction: It has been recognized that practicing ballet could strengthen the leg muscles, improve balance, and reduce fall risk. However, few studies have investigated how ballet practice alters a person's gait pattern, and this knowledge gap could present a barrier to designing ballet-based training programs. This study examined dynamic gait stability and spatiotemporal gait parameters among professional ballet dancers during normal level overground walking. Methods: Twenty young adults were recruited: 10 ballet dancers (24.5 ± 4.9 years) and 10 age- and sex-matched non-dancers (22.6 ± 3.4 years). Participants walked on a 10 m linear walkway at their self-selected speed. Dynamic gait stability and common gait parameters (step length, step width, gait speed, and cadence) were determined from the collected kinematic data and compared between groups with a significance level of .05. Results: The results showed that both groups displayed comparable dynamic gait stability at touchdown (P = .140) and liftoff (P = .638). However, ballet dancers walked with a longer (P = .054), narrower (P = .009), and faster step (P = .014) at a marginally quicker speed (P = .063) than non-dancers. Conclusion: Our study suggests that young professional ballet dancers have different gait patterns, but similar dynamic gait stability compared to non-dancers. These findings not only provide insight into the mechanisms of dynamic stability control among young ballet dancers during gait but expand our understanding of the control of dynamic gait balance of human locomotion across a wide variety of populations and walking conditions.

Reliability, Variability and Minimal Detectable Change of the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull in Adolescent Dancers.

The importance and potential benefits of muscular strength in the adolescent's development for health and fitness has been demonstrated in the literature. Maximal muscular strength and its assessment, however, is not a primary assessment criterium in the selection of young talented dancers. The present study evaluated the within- and between session reliability, variability, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Thirty-five participants (female n = 17) participated in 2 identical assessments on the same day with 4-hour break in between. Three 3-second IMTP were performed, and the mean peak force value was used for the analyses. Within-session the ICC indicated excellent reliability (ICC = .99, 95% CI: 0.98-0.99). Between-session reliability was excellent (ICC = .98, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99). The standard error of measurement was 4% (48 N), the minimum detectable change was 12% (134 N) and the CV was 3%. There were no within-session statistically significant differences, but statistically significant differences between-session were observed (P < .001). Limits of agreement ranged from -121 N (95% CI -186 to -56 N) to 307 N (95% CI 243-372 N). The observed results demonstrated excellent within- and between sessions reliability, low variability, and an MDC of 12%. The consistency of the within-session scores suggest that peak force data may be obtained with single try efforts. The statistically significant difference in the means of the retest session, however, suggests that the time of the day or the time since entrained awakening may be affecting performance in adolescent dancers. The results of the current study indicate that the IMTP is a reliable assessment tool for maximal muscular strength in adolescent dancers.

Patellofemoral pain and musculoskeletal features in young pre- and post-pubertal female dancers

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine associations between patellofemoral pain (PFP) and musculoskeletal features (such as tendon structure and bone properties) in young (pre- and post-pubertal) female dancers. A total of 49 dancers participated in this study (mean age 13.6 ± 2.9; weight 47.0 ± 13.2; height 153.7 ± 12.9 and body mass index (BMI) 19.4 ± 3.1) and were assessed for the following factors: dance background and Tanner stage through interviews; ultrasonography assessments of bone properties and patellar tendon structure through ultrasonographic tissue characterization and quantitative ultrasound, respectively; and anthropometric measurements, muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), hypermobility and PFP through physical examinations. PFP was found in 49% of the participants. Post-pubertal dancers with no-PFP were found to have greater muscle strength, greater radial and tibial properties, and better tendon structure compared to pre-pubertal dancers with PFP and compared to pre-pubertal dancers with no-PFP [F(2, 41) = 18.64, p < .001; F(2, 41) = 20.46, p < .001; F(2, 41) = 33.06, p < .001; and, F(2, 41) = 6.02, p = .007, respectively]. Logistic regression showed that tibial bone properties and range of movement (ROM) in hip external rotation were significantly associated with PFP [odds ratio (OR) = .889 and OR = 2.653, respectively; Cox & Snell R2 = .701]. The study revealed a high prevalence of PFP among young dancers, with low bone properties and hyperjoint ROM emerging as the main factors that are related to PFP. These findings should be addressed by medical teams, athletic trainers, and dance teachers regarding the need for implementing modifications to dance training programmes and injury-prevention strategies in young pre-pubertal dancers.