Quantitative Measures Utilized in Determining Pointe Readiness in Young Ballet Dancers

Abstract

While an important step in a young dancers ballet career is the transition to pointe work, there is much controversy as to when her body is physically prepared to meet the increased demands of this development. Pointe screening protocols are being used by many in both the dance studio and dance science communities, but these protocols have not yet been standardized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate objectively the attributes of ballet dancers who are pre-pointe compared to those who have recently begun pointe training, and secondarily to correlate these quantitative findings with qualitative evaluations by the dancers’ teachers. Participants were 49 healthy young female dancers with at least 1 year of formal ballet training. Twenty-eight were pre-pointe students (age: 10.21 ± 1.17 years; height: 124.05 ± 13.45 cm; weight: 39.13 ± 13.18 kg; and 6.04 ± 1.84 years dance experience), and 21 were pointe students (age: 11.42 ± 0.81 years; height: 136.91 ± 16.04 cm; weight: 40.79 ± 8.77 kg; and 6.45 ± 2.07 years dance experience). Six dependent variables were evaluated: non-weightbearing (NWB) plantar flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM); weightbearing lunge test (WBL); relevé endurance (heel raise test); PF isometric strength; Airplane test; and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in three directions. These tests were broken into three categories for statistical analysis: ROM (NWB PF and DF, WBL), muscular capacity (relevé endurance, PF isometric strength), and balance (Airplane, SEBT). The analysis demonstrated that the pointe group performed significantly better than the pre-pointe group on the muscular capacity and balance testing (p < 0.01). Calculations for both tests indicated that 15 continuous single-leg relevés and two repetitions of the Airplane test may be the best cut-offlevels when using these tests as part of a pre-pointe screening protocol. In conclusion, the relevé endurance test and the Airplane test are appropriate for use in differentiating between pre-pointe and pointe dancers.

Developing the Positional Characteristics of a Dance-Specific Star Excursion Balance Test (dsSEBT)

“…Previous researchers have identified the need to test dancers in traditional foot positions, such as parallel, turned out, and on demi-pointe. 21,23,25 By having the dancers complete the dsSEBT in parallel, a more direct comparison could be made to see if there was a difference between the oSEBT and the added upper body restrictions utilized by the dsSEBT. By completing the dsSEBT in turnout, the dancer is placed into an environment most similar to their ballet classes; previous research has also suggested that ballet dancers find their best alignment in a turned-out position.…”

“…22 The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) has been used with dancers for a preliminary balance screen but has not been considered specific enough to be a screening tool that challenges dancer's balance capabilities. [23][24][25][26][27] The SEBT's eight directions are thought to coincide with the same cardinal directions of limb gesturing in classical ballet. Additionally, flexing and extending of the stance leg while reaching with the gesture leg resembles movements commonly seen in dance.…”

Associations Between Static and Dynamic Field Balance Tests in Assessing Postural Stability of Female Undergraduate Dancers

“…In previous literature, the SEBT, Airplane, Biosway, Romberg, and Pirouette tests have been identified as reliable or accepted balance tasks for the dance population in previous literature 9,14,34,35,36,40 . It is possible that, in past research, assumptions have been made about the functionality of the tests for dancers even though there have been clear differences in test conditions, and no replication of studies, for example, pirouette studies which have included a range of differing turn tasks 9,35,36 .…”

“…The Airplane test has been determined as a reliable indicator of a dancer's functional balance skill level 34,40 . The single-leg balance task was conducted in bare feet.…”

Are the Current Balance Screening Tests in Dance Medicine Specific Enough for Tracking the Effectiveness of Balance-Related Injury Rehabilitation in Dancers? A Scoping Review

“…36 The Airplane test has been described as a good test for determining pointe-readiness in pre-pointe ballet dancers especially children under 12 years of age. 21,[37][38] Similarly, the pirouette test as a recognized dancespecific balance test involves en dehors turns. Clarke et al 39 stated that, in performing a pirouette test, the dancer is required to start from and return to an open turned-out position of the feet with one foot crossed in front of the other (fourth position).…”