Eyes-Closed Single-Limb Balance is Not Related to Hypermobility Status in Dancers

Abstract

Hypermobility may be associated with decreased lower extremity proprioception, which in turn may increase injury risk. The prevalence of hypermobility in dancers varies across studies, but joint hypermobility appears to be more common in dancers than in the general population. The purpose of this study was to determine how hypermobility affects eyes-closed single-limb balance as an indirect measure of proprioception in dancers. The secondary aim was to compare hypermobility and balance across dancer affiliation groups. Data were collected from 45 professional dancers, 11 collegiate modern dancers, 227 student dancers, and 15 pre-professional dancers during routine dance screens. Dancer hypermobility status was assessed via an eight-point Beighton-Horan Laxity test. Single-limb balance time, in seconds, was assessed in parallel position with the eyes closed. Hypermobile (HM) and non-hypermobile (NHM) dancers showed very similar balance times (HM median: 36.5 seconds; NHM median: 33.0 seconds; p = 0.982). Hypermobility was not significantly different between dancer affiliation groups (p = 0.154): 47% in ballet academy students, 27% in collegiate modern dancers, 62% in pre-professional dancers, and 36% in professional dancers. The student, pre-professional, and professional ballet dancers all demonstrated longer balance times than the collegiate modern dancers; however, this difference was only significant between the professional ballet dancers and collegiate modern dancers (p = 0.026). Dancers demonstrated a higher prevalence of hypermobility than what has been reported for the general population. Joint hypermobility did not affect eyes-closed single-limb balance time. Future studies are needed to determine if joint hypermobility affects more sensitive measures of proprioception and risk of injury.

Hubungan Generalized Joint Hypermobility (Gjh) Dengan Keseimbangan Statis Pada Penari Di Kota Denpasar

“…Populasi yang berisiko tinggi terhadap GJH adalah penari. Gerakan yang repetitif dan kompleks pada tarian menyebabkan meningkatnya lingkup gerak sendi 17 . GJH memberikan dampak positif dalam segi estetika tarian, namun dapat menjadi dampak buruk bagi kondisi muskuloskeletal penari.…”

“…Sejalan dengan penelitian oleh Marulli yang menyatakan bahwa penari modern memiliki tingkat keseimbangan yang lebih buruk dibandingkan dengan penari balet. Hal ini dikarenakan jenis gerakan pointé pada tari balet menstimulasi penari untuk mempertahankan keseimbangan dengan satu kaki 17 . Pada tari modern gerakan sangat bebas dan tidak terfokus pada satu ekstremitas saja, oleh karena itu keseimbangan pada penari modern lebih buruk dibandingkan penari balet.…”

“…Marulli menyatakan bahwa tidak terdapat hubungan antara GJH dengan keseimbangan statis pada penari 17 . Sampel pada penelitian Marulli adalah penari modern, penari balet professional dan penari balet pre-profesional.…”

Influence of Mirror Feedback and Ankle Joint Laxity on Dynamic Balance in Trained Ballet Dancers

“…20 These data are novel, as a recent investigation using static measures of postural stability indicated hypermobility had no impact on balance. 39 However, an interesting finding was the direction in which increased AP laxity modified DPS with and without mirror feedback. With mirror feedback, AP laxity correlated with frontal plane (mediolateral) TTS, while AP laxity correlated with vertical TTS without mirror feedback.…”

Do Grade II Ankle Sprains Have Chronic Effects on the Functional Ability of Ballet Dancers Performing Single-Leg Flat-Foot Stance? An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

“…Another relevant aspect in the evaluation of balance control is represented by the visual system's role in proprioception, which has the potential to mask proprioceptive issues in athletes [26]. For this reason, it can be argued that in order to obtain reliable proprioceptive measures, visual occlusion is mandatory [27,28]. As ankle control is crucial for successfully executing ballet specific positions and it could be impaired in ankle sprains, a position specific testing with closed eyes is needed.…”