An Epidemiological Study of Non-specific Low Back Pain in Non-professional Female Greek Classic Ballet Dancers

Abstract

Aim: Epidemiological study of the incidence of mechanical low back pain (LBP) in non-professional female Greek classic ballet dancers over a year and therapeutic interventions required to address symptoms. Materials and methods: Forty-six female classic ballet dancers members of preprofessional schools, aged 16-37 years (mean 28.8 ±5.44 yrs) practicing and training in classic dance for 6-40 hours/week (mean 10.8±6.68) and 2-27 years experience (mean 11.9±4.20 yrs) participated in an epidemiological study concerning the incidence of LBP episodes within the last year, the treatment they received, as well as the period of absence of training and performance due to LBP. A selfadministered questionnaire was employed. Information regarding incidence, duration, and intensity of mechanical low back pain was gathered as well as length of time away from practice or performance. A secondary aim was to investigate the type of conservative treatment that participants in this study received. Results: Thirty-one (67.4%) participants in the study experienced 1-10 (mean 3.26±1.7) episodes of mechanical LBP in the previous 12 months. They had to refrain from dancing activities from 2 to 90 days (mean 16.9±16.22). Twenty one of the participants received some kind of conservative treatment. Conclusion: The incidence of LBP was found to be high among Greek amateur classic ballet dancers resulting in absence from dancing activities for a considerable length of time and raising the need for therapeutic intervention for a considerable percentage of the studied population. Effective prevention strategies of LBP are of vital importance, particularly in younger dancers.

Asociación entre esguince de tobillo y la presencia de dolor lumbar en bailarines de ballet en Lima, Perú (Association between ankle sprain and the presence of low back pain in ballet dancers in Lima, Peru)

“…Una de las lesiones con más prevalencia en bailarines es el dolor lumbar (DL) (Tsekoura et al, 2017). Diferentes hallazgos demuestran una prevalencia entre el 50% y el 73%, la cual llega a equiparar o superar las tasas de población mundial (49%) (Angoules et al, 2018;Swain et al, 2019;Tsekoura et al, 2017). El DL se define como toda molestia musculoesquelética, o el conjunto de síntomas donde el principal problema es el dolor en el nivel de la región lumbar, zona que está delimitada por el área que se encuentra desde debajo del arco inferior de la última costilla hasta el sacro, lo que provoca una disminución en la funcionalidad en las personas que la padecen (Moix-Queraltó & Vidal-Fernández, 2008).…”

Dancers with non-specific low back pain have less lumbar movement smoothness than healthy dancers

“…Due to the highly technical and physical nature of ballet dance, ballet dancers frequently suffer musculoskeletal injuries, with non-specific low back pain (LBP) being one of the most common [ 3 ]. It has been estimated that around two out of every three ballet dancers suffer from non-specific LBP at some point in their dancing careers.…”

“…It has been estimated that around two out of every three ballet dancers suffer from non-specific LBP at some point in their dancing careers. This greatly impacts their training and performance and may require medical treatment and/or medication [ 3 ]. The effects of LBP on the range and quality of ballet dancer movement have thus received extensive attention in recent decades.…”