Evaluation of posture and flexibility in ballet dancers

Abstract

Objectives: Ballet dancers require a high level of control on their muscles in order to perform various dance figures. Specialballet moves require adaptive changes in order to maintain posture while performing classical ballet dance. The aim of thepresent study was to evaluate the differences in body postures and range of motion in certain joints between female classicalballet students and female non-dancer students.Methods: Fifty nine female university students participated in the study; 30 were studying classical ballet at Hacettepe UniversityAnkara State Conservatory and 29 were studying at Baflkent University with no professional dancing history. Students in bothgroups were compared by conducting a body posture analysis anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly with the symmetrigraf chart.Range of motion of the joints was measured using a goniometer and distances were measured using an anthropometer.Results: Ballet education was a factor in the development of hallux valgus and genu varum deformities (p<0.001). Being a balletdancer or not was determined to be a factor for the development of genu recurvatum (p=0.004), but not related to the flexionangle on knee (p>0.05). The median values of body flexion and hyperextension showed statistically significant differencesbetween the two groups (p<0.001).Conclusion: Postural defects caused by the adaptive changes that occur during ballet training can be assessed easily by usinga symmetrigra. It is also possible to evaluate the degree of the deformities that can develop by time.