A review of the risk factors for lower extremity overuse injuries in young elite female ballet dancers.

The objective of this study was to review the evidence for selected risk factors of lower extremity overuse injuries in young elite female ballet dancers. An electronic search of key databases from 1969 to July 2013 was conducted using the keywords dancers, ballet dancers, athletes, adolescent, adolescence, young, injury, injuries, risk, overuse, lower limb, lower extremity, lower extremities, growth, maturation, menarche, alignment, and biomechanics. Thirteen published studies were retained for review.

Are maturation, growth and lower extremity alignment associated with overuse injury in elite adolescent ballet dancers?

Objective: To identify growth, maturation and biomechanical risk factors for overuse injury in elite adolescent ballet dancers.

Methods: Maturation (Tanner scale), growth (foot length change) and age at onset of menarche were recorded in elite adolescent ballet dancers. A modified knee valgus angle and lateral tilt of the pelvis were measured using 2D video during two dance movements (fondu, temps levé) to quantify lower extremity alignment.