High Injury Risk in Professional Dance: New Research Highlights Physical Strain

Professional dance, often perceived as graceful and effortless, is a physically demanding discipline with a high risk of injury. Recent research from Goethe University Frankfurt has provided precise measurements of the strain placed on dancers’ musculoskeletal systems, offering new insights into the physical toll of this art form.

The Physical Demands of Ballet

Ballet, in particular, requires exceptional physical control and athleticism developed through years of intensive training. Professor Eileen Wanke of the Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt, a former professional dancer herself, emphasizes that “Professional dance is a high-performance sport.” [1]

Study Methodology: Sensor-Equipped Suits

Researchers utilized an innovative method to quantify the physical strain experienced by dancers. Twenty-eight professional dancers from Oldenburg State Theater and Theater Kiel wore sensor-equipped suits during ballet training. These suits, equipped with 17 sensors, recorded acceleration and body positioning of the head, torso, arms, wrists, legs, and feet at a rate of 240 measurements per second. [2] The data was wirelessly transmitted to a computer for analysis using a program specifically developed for the project. [4]

REBA Score and Risk Assessment

The study employed the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool, commonly used in occupational medicine, to assess physical strain. Each movement or posture was assigned a score based on the stress placed on joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Higher REBA scores indicate greater risk. [4]

Key Findings: High Strain Levels

The data revealed that participants spent over 60% of their training time in a moderate-risk range and 30% in a high-risk range. [3] Female dancers consistently experienced higher ergonomic stress than their male counterparts, potentially due to differences in body structure. [4]

Injury Rates and Long-Term Effects

Approximately half of all professional dancers experience at least one occupational accident each year. Common injuries include strains and sprains affecting the legs, ankles, and feet, as well as lower back problems. Alarmingly, 25% of dancers develop osteoarthritis by their late twenties, significantly higher than the less than 5% rate observed in the general population. [1]

Training Phases and Injury Potential

Classical ballet training typically consists of three phases: exercises at the barre, slow movement sequences in open space, and dynamic exercises including pirouettes, and jumps. Researchers found that concentration tends to decline in the final phase, increasing the likelihood of errors and injuries. [1]

Recommendations for Injury Prevention

The study suggests several strategies to mitigate injury risk:

• Scheduling demanding dynamic exercises earlier in training sessions.
• Adapting training programs to address gender-specific physical demands.
• Implementing specialized dance floors, particularly on rehearsal and performance stages, to reduce impact forces during jumps.
• Further research is needed to determine the most effective structural measures for reducing forces in dance.

Future Research

Professor Wanke concludes that further research is needed to systematically study the effectiveness of different flooring structures in reducing forces experienced by dancers. [1]