Injuries to dancers: prevalence, treatment, and perceptions of causes.

TLDR

Dancers frequently suffer injuries, and while proper treatment should allow most to heal fully, they also recognize prevention strategies such as sprung floors, warmer studios, and mindful rest. The study surveyed 141 dancers from seven UK professional ballet and modern dance companies, using questionnaires about chronic and recent injuries. Among the respondents, 47 % reported chronic injuries and 42 % reported recent injuries that impaired dancing, and many soft‑tissue injuries failed to respond to treatment.

Abstract

A survey of injuries to dancers was commissioned by the National Organisation of Dance and Mime. Questionnaires asking about chronic and recent injuries were sent to 188 dancers and completed by 141 dancers from seven professional ballet and modern dance companies in the United Kingdom (75% response rate). It was found that of the 141 dancers, 67 (47%) had experienced a chronic injury and 59 (42%) an injury in the previous six months that had affected their dancing. A high proportion of injuries to the soft tissues had not responded to treatment. With correct treatment such injuries should usually heal completely. Dancers are aware of the high rate of injuries and also of procedures that might help to prevent injury--for example, dancing on floors that are sprung and in warmer studios; teachers9 and choreographers9 awareness of a dancer9s limitations and the need for rest and adequate treatment when an injury occurs.