Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251316672
João Pedro Lucas Neves Silva, Júlio César de Ávila Soares, Maria Júlia Lopez Laurino, Felipe Ribeiro, Natacha de Lima Gervazoni, Bruna Izadora Spinardi Alves, Eduarda Carvalho Novaes Moreira, Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei, Roselene Modolo Regueiro Lorençoni
Introduction: Dance has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic modality in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP). Therefore, evaluating the physiological responses of the body during dance is necessary to provide information that will allows it to be practiced a safe and effective way. In this context, the objective of the current study was to evaluate and compare the cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) of women with cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) during and after a dance-based cardiac rehabilitation session and a conventional cardiac rehabilitation session. Methods: In total, 19 women, with at least 1 CRF, participated in this non-randomized crossover clinical trial, consisting of 4 steps: I. Familiarization with the dance protocol (DP); II. DP session; III. Familiarization with the conventional protocol (CP); IV. CP session. The CAM was evaluated using heart rate variability, considering nonlinear methods: recurrence plot, debugged trend fluctuations, and symbolic analysis. For data evaluation, 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was used, P < .05. Results: During exercise, an effect of protocol was observed for most of indices. In the DP, higher values were recorded for DET, Alpha-1, and 0 V% indices, and lower values for 1 V% and 2 ULV% indices and for entropy measurements. During recovery, no differences were observed between protocols. Effects of the exercises were observed in the comparisons between moments for all indices, however, a similar pattern of recovery was found between DP and CP. Conclusions: Comparisons of the dance and conventional protocols revealed that CAM was similar in both approaches, while greater alterations in nonlinear dynamics were observed during the DP exercise. However, these alterations were not able to modify the recovery of the volunteers. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was previously registered on the clinicaltrials.gov platform under registration number: NCT04967235. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04967235?locStr=Brazil&country=Brazil&cond=Cardiovascular%20risk%20factors&term=Heart%20Rate%20Variability&intr=Dance%20therapy&rank=1.
{"title":"Comparison of Nonlinear Dynamics of Heart Rate Variability Between Conventional Cardiac Rehabilitation and Dance-Based Therapy: A Non-Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.","authors":"João Pedro Lucas Neves Silva, Júlio César de Ávila Soares, Maria Júlia Lopez Laurino, Felipe Ribeiro, Natacha de Lima Gervazoni, Bruna Izadora Spinardi Alves, Eduarda Carvalho Novaes Moreira, Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei, Roselene Modolo Regueiro Lorençoni","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251316672","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251316672","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Dance has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic modality in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP). Therefore, evaluating the physiological responses of the body during dance is necessary to provide information that will allows it to be practiced a safe and effective way. In this context, the objective of the current study was to evaluate and compare the cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) of women with cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) during and after a dance-based cardiac rehabilitation session and a conventional cardiac rehabilitation session. <b>Methods:</b> In total, 19 women, with at least 1 CRF, participated in this non-randomized crossover clinical trial, consisting of 4 steps: I. Familiarization with the dance protocol (DP); II. DP session; III. Familiarization with the conventional protocol (CP); IV. CP session. The CAM was evaluated using heart rate variability, considering nonlinear methods: recurrence plot, debugged trend fluctuations, and symbolic analysis. For data evaluation, 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was used, <i>P</i> < .05. <b>Results:</b> During exercise, an effect of protocol was observed for most of indices. In the DP, higher values were recorded for DET, Alpha-1, and 0 V% indices, and lower values for 1 V% and 2 ULV% indices and for entropy measurements. During recovery, no differences were observed between protocols. Effects of the exercises were observed in the comparisons between moments for all indices, however, a similar pattern of recovery was found between DP and CP. <b>Conclusions:</b> Comparisons of the dance and conventional protocols revealed that CAM was similar in both approaches, while greater alterations in nonlinear dynamics were observed during the DP exercise. However, these alterations were not able to modify the recovery of the volunteers. <b>Clinical Trial Registration:</b> The study was previously registered on the clinicaltrials.gov platform under registration number: NCT04967235. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04967235?locStr=Brazil&country=Brazil&cond=Cardiovascular%20risk%20factors&term=Heart%20Rate%20Variability&intr=Dance%20therapy&rank=1.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"3-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251323669
Jie Lu, Jake K Ngo, Tracey J Devonport, Matthew A Wyon
Purpose: The aim of the proposed randomized controlled study is to compare the effects and efficacy of a dance, a Tai Chi and a waiting list control group intervention over an 8-week period on physical functions and mental benefits among non-clinical adults aged between 18 and 60.
Method: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial will be adopted to evaluate the effects and efficacy of an 8-week dance intervention compared with Tai Chi and a control group on physical and mental benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to 3 groups, dance, Tai Chi, and Control group, using stratified random sampling based on sex. Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (IMTP), Y-Balance test (YBT), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), and The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) are utilized for collecting physical and mental data. All measurements will be conducted by research assistants blinded to participants' group allocation and analysis will be carried out by statistician blinded to the group and test parameters.Expected result:Mental wellbeing parameters are predicted to be increasing during the learning phase and the physical parameters are predicted to have an improvement in the practising phase.
{"title":"The Effects of 8-week Dance and Tai Chi Randomized Controlled Trial on Balance, Wellbeing and Moods Among Healthy Adults Aged 18 to 60: A Study Protocol.","authors":"Jie Lu, Jake K Ngo, Tracey J Devonport, Matthew A Wyon","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251323669","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251323669","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of the proposed randomized controlled study is to compare the effects and efficacy of a dance, a Tai Chi and a waiting list control group intervention over an 8-week period on physical functions and mental benefits among non-clinical adults aged between 18 and 60.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A double-blind, randomized controlled trial will be adopted to evaluate the effects and efficacy of an 8-week dance intervention compared with Tai Chi and a control group on physical and mental benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to 3 groups, dance, Tai Chi, and Control group, using stratified random sampling based on sex. Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (IMTP), Y-Balance test (YBT), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), and The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) are utilized for collecting physical and mental data. All measurements will be conducted by research assistants blinded to participants' group allocation and analysis will be carried out by statistician blinded to the group and test parameters.Expected result:Mental wellbeing parameters are predicted to be increasing during the learning phase and the physical parameters are predicted to have an improvement in the practising phase.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"74-85"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143524617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-03-18DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251326127
Nahoko Sato, Naoko Oba, Haruka Seki, Akito Miura
Introduction: The mechanism of foot injury in ballet dancers can be understood by measuring the forces exerted on the foot in pointe shoes. In this study, we aimed to reveal the vertical forces applied to the toes in a pointe shoe during ballet movements in a time series using a modified foot pressure sensor. Methods: Three dancers wore their pointe shoes equipped with sensors to replace their usual toe pads. They performed 2 tasks: (1) holding a pointe posture on the right leg for 5 seconds and (2) jumping 5 times on the right leg while on pointe, on a force platform. Their movements were captured using a 10-camera motion-capture system synchronized with the force platform and pressure sensor. Results: The force data for the bottom of the toe box, calculated by multiplying the pressure by the area, showed a correlation with the vertical ground reaction force measured using the force platform. Our results revealed that, during the jumping task, the highest forces were applied to the toe box, whereas in the standing task, the metatarsal area experienced greater forces than the toe box did. Significant individual variability was observed in other areas. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the modified sensor effectively captures pressure variations with different movements, offering valuable insights for injury prevention and optimizing ballet techniques.
{"title":"Measuring Foot Pressure in Pointe Shoes of Ballet Dancers Using a Modified Foot Pressure Sensor: A Brief Study.","authors":"Nahoko Sato, Naoko Oba, Haruka Seki, Akito Miura","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251326127","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251326127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> The mechanism of foot injury in ballet dancers can be understood by measuring the forces exerted on the foot in pointe shoes. In this study, we aimed to reveal the vertical forces applied to the toes in a pointe shoe during ballet movements in a time series using a modified foot pressure sensor. <b>Methods:</b> Three dancers wore their pointe shoes equipped with sensors to replace their usual toe pads. They performed 2 tasks: (1) holding a pointe posture on the right leg for 5 seconds and (2) jumping 5 times on the right leg while on pointe, on a force platform. Their movements were captured using a 10-camera motion-capture system synchronized with the force platform and pressure sensor. <b>Results:</b> The force data for the bottom of the toe box, calculated by multiplying the pressure by the area, showed a correlation with the vertical ground reaction force measured using the force platform. Our results revealed that, during the jumping task, the highest forces were applied to the toe box, whereas in the standing task, the metatarsal area experienced greater forces than the toe box did. Significant individual variability was observed in other areas. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study demonstrates that the modified sensor effectively captures pressure variations with different movements, offering valuable insights for injury prevention and optimizing ballet techniques.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"86-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143651360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251320698
Annemiek Tiemens, Larissa A Plaatsman, Rogier M van Rijn, Bart W Koes, Janine H Stubbe
Introduction: The purpose of the study was to examine if dance-specific aerobic fitness test (DAFT) heart rate variables were associated to lower-extremity injuries in contemporary dance students.
Methods: A total of 235 first-year contemporary dance students (18.6 ± 1.2 years) were prospectively followed over the first 4 months of their academic year. Peak heart rate (HRpeak) in the final stage of the DAFT and heart rate recovery (HRR) 1 minute after DAFT completion were measured. Lower-extremity injuries were registered using a self-reported monthly questionnaire including the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H). Three injury definitions were used (all-complaint injury, substantial injury, and time-loss injury). Associations between DAFT HRpeak, HRR and lower-extremity injury prevalence and severity were examined with regression analyses.
Results: Lower-extremity injury prevalence was 36.2% (n = 85), 13.6% (n = 32), and 22.6% (n = 53) for all-complaint, substantial and time-loss injuries, respectively. There were no significant associations between HRpeak or HRR and injury prevalence using either of the 3 injury definitions. There were no significant associations between DAFT HRpeak or HRR and injury severity (days off due to injury or OSTRC-H severity score). Multivariate analyses showed significant associations between age and substantial injuries (OR 1.807; 95% CI 1.242-2.630; P < .01) and between age and time-loss injuries (OR 1.441; 95% CI 1.074-1.933; P < .05).
Conclusion: Aerobic fitness measured with the DAFT was not associated with lower-extremity injury risk or injury severity. Higher age was associated with substantial and time-loss lower-extremity injuries.
{"title":"Dance-specific Aerobic Fitness Test (DAFT) Heart Rate Variables are not Associated with Lower-Extremity Injuries in Contemporary Dance Students.","authors":"Annemiek Tiemens, Larissa A Plaatsman, Rogier M van Rijn, Bart W Koes, Janine H Stubbe","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251320698","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251320698","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The purpose of the study was to examine if dance-specific aerobic fitness test (DAFT) heart rate variables were associated to lower-extremity injuries in contemporary dance students.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 235 first-year contemporary dance students (18.6 ± 1.2 years) were prospectively followed over the first 4 months of their academic year. Peak heart rate (HR<sub>peak</sub>) in the final stage of the DAFT and heart rate recovery (HRR) 1 minute after DAFT completion were measured. Lower-extremity injuries were registered using a self-reported monthly questionnaire including the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H). Three injury definitions were used (all-complaint injury, substantial injury, and time-loss injury). Associations between DAFT HR<sub>peak</sub>, HRR and lower-extremity injury prevalence and severity were examined with regression analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lower-extremity injury prevalence was 36.2% (n = 85), 13.6% (n = 32), and 22.6% (n = 53) for all-complaint, substantial and time-loss injuries, respectively. There were no significant associations between HR<sub>peak</sub> or HRR and injury prevalence using either of the 3 injury definitions. There were no significant associations between DAFT HR<sub>peak</sub> or HRR and injury severity (days off due to injury or OSTRC-H severity score). Multivariate analyses showed significant associations between age and substantial injuries (OR 1.807; 95% CI 1.242-2.630; <i>P</i> < .01) and between age and time-loss injuries (OR 1.441; 95% CI 1.074-1.933; <i>P</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Aerobic fitness measured with the DAFT was not associated with lower-extremity injury risk or injury severity. Higher age was associated with substantial and time-loss lower-extremity injuries.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"33-40"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-05DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251314987
Meghan L Critchley, Ebonie Rio, Kenzie B Friesen, Anu M Räisänen, Sarah J Kenny, Carolyn A Emery
Background: Dance is a popular activity worldwide that comes with inherently high injury rates. Despite the call for implementation and evaluation of injury prevention strategies, the utility and efficacy of injury prevention practices in dance are unknown. Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review was to describe dance-specific injury prevention strategies in any dance population. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in the reduction of injury prevalence or incidence rates. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched to March 2024 (Medline, EMBASE, SportDiscus, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane). Selected studies met a priori inclusion criteria that required original data describing an injury prevention strategy for any genre of dance. Studies were excluded if; no injury outcomes were reported, no injury prevention strategy was utilized, or if dance was used as a therapeutic intervention/fitness. Two reviewers independently assessed abstracts and full texts for inclusion. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Level of Evidence tool. Results: From 2209 potentially relevant records, 8 studies met criteria for inclusion. Injury prevention strategies were diverse across conditioning and exercise programs, neuromuscular training warm-up, psychological coping skills training, and educational programs, with a range of duration and adherence measures. Due to inconsistent injury surveillance methodology, efficacy of these programs could not be determined. Quality of included studies was moderate to high, with moderate to low risk of bias. Conclusions: Efficacy and adherence to dance-specific injury prevention strategies are understudied in the dance science literature. Conditioning and exercise programs are currently the most common injury prevention strategies, with initial evidence suggesting they may be efficacious in reducing injury rates. Further research using valid injury surveillance methodologies and standardized injury definitions to examine the efficacy of these strategies in reducing dance-related injury is needed. Level of evidence: I.
{"title":"Injury Prevention Strategies in Dance: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Meghan L Critchley, Ebonie Rio, Kenzie B Friesen, Anu M Räisänen, Sarah J Kenny, Carolyn A Emery","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251314987","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251314987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Dance is a popular activity worldwide that comes with inherently high injury rates. Despite the call for implementation and evaluation of injury prevention strategies, the utility and efficacy of injury prevention practices in dance are unknown. <b>Objective:</b> The primary objective of this systematic review was to describe dance-specific injury prevention strategies in any dance population. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in the reduction of injury prevalence or incidence rates. <b>Methods:</b> Six electronic databases were searched to March 2024 (Medline, EMBASE, SportDiscus, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane). Selected studies met a priori inclusion criteria that required original data describing an injury prevention strategy for any genre of dance. Studies were excluded if; no injury outcomes were reported, no injury prevention strategy was utilized, or if dance was used as a therapeutic intervention/fitness. Two reviewers independently assessed abstracts and full texts for inclusion. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Level of Evidence tool. <b>Results:</b> From 2209 potentially relevant records, 8 studies met criteria for inclusion. Injury prevention strategies were diverse across conditioning and exercise programs, neuromuscular training warm-up, psychological coping skills training, and educational programs, with a range of duration and adherence measures. Due to inconsistent injury surveillance methodology, efficacy of these programs could not be determined. Quality of included studies was moderate to high, with moderate to low risk of bias. <b>Conclusions:</b> Efficacy and adherence to dance-specific injury prevention strategies are understudied in the dance science literature. Conditioning and exercise programs are currently the most common injury prevention strategies, with initial evidence suggesting they may be efficacious in reducing injury rates. Further research using valid injury surveillance methodologies and standardized injury definitions to examine the efficacy of these strategies in reducing dance-related injury is needed. <b>Level of evidence:</b> I.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"65-73"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143190568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251325284
Julia Martins Portugal, Isabella Martins Rodrigues, Karine Jacon Sarro
Background: It is already known that the prevalence of ankle sprain is high in dancers, leading to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and, consequently, affecting jump landing. Therefore, methods that allow the early identification of jump landing alterations related to CAI are necessary. Research Question: This study aimed to investigate if regional plantar force estimated from plantar pressure distribution is different between dancers with and without ankle instability during jump landing. Methods: Female dancers with (n = 12) and without (n = 14) CAI performed single-leg jumps on a force plate (FP), with the insole of a dynamic plantar pressure system inside the ballet shoe. Peak vertical ground reaction force (measured by FP) and peak plantar force of 8 different foot regions (estimated by plantar pressure distribution) were compared between the groups in the first 200 ms after landing, using the t-test and 2-way ANOVA, respectively. Results: No differences were found between the groups considering the peak vertical ground reaction force. There was a higher plantar force on the lateral hindfoot in the group with CAI. Significance: Considering that the higher plantar force on the lateral hindfoot is in accordance with the greater inversion found in people with ankle instability and during sprains, insole dynamic plantar pressure systems were able to identify differences in the jump landing of dancers with and without ankle instability and could be used to early identify risky landing patterns, as well as in real-time feedback during treatment or preventive exercise programs.
{"title":"Dancers With Chronic Ankle Instability Have Different Regional Plantar Force During Single-Leg Jump Landing.","authors":"Julia Martins Portugal, Isabella Martins Rodrigues, Karine Jacon Sarro","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251325284","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251325284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> It is already known that the prevalence of ankle sprain is high in dancers, leading to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and, consequently, affecting jump landing. Therefore, methods that allow the early identification of jump landing alterations related to CAI are necessary. <b>Research Question:</b> This study aimed to investigate if regional plantar force estimated from plantar pressure distribution is different between dancers with and without ankle instability during jump landing. <b>Methods:</b> Female dancers with (n = 12) and without (n = 14) CAI performed single-leg jumps on a force plate (FP), with the insole of a dynamic plantar pressure system inside the ballet shoe. Peak vertical ground reaction force (measured by FP) and peak plantar force of 8 different foot regions (estimated by plantar pressure distribution) were compared between the groups in the first 200 ms after landing, using the <i>t</i>-test and 2-way ANOVA, respectively. <b>Results:</b> No differences were found between the groups considering the peak vertical ground reaction force. There was a higher plantar force on the lateral hindfoot in the group with CAI. <b>Significance:</b> Considering that the higher plantar force on the lateral hindfoot is in accordance with the greater inversion found in people with ankle instability and during sprains, insole dynamic plantar pressure systems were able to identify differences in the jump landing of dancers with and without ankle instability and could be used to early identify risky landing patterns, as well as in real-time feedback during treatment or preventive exercise programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"59-64"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143651359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-03-12DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251320734
Sakshi Sadhu, Ramesh Chandra Patra
Background: Bhangra dance is vibrant and energy demanding art form involving dynamic footwork, jumps, kicks and rapid movements. Poor biomechanics and uneven plantar pressure is a crucial factor for injury among dancers thus, this study protocol aimed at evaluating the efficacy of comprehensive foot strengthening program in improving faulty foot biomechanics and plantar pressure distribution to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries among male Bhangra dancers.
Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed. One hundred forty professional dancers will be recruited for this study based on G* power calculations. Seventy participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental group, undergoing a structured intrinsic foot strengthening program (IFSP; 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 30-60 minutes, mild-severe intensity). Seventy participants will be allocated to the waitlist control group, which will follow their exercise regime and dance training (randomization 1:1 ratio). Outcome measures to assess biomechanical characteristics of the foot and plantar pressure distribution will be foot posture index, navicular drop test, feiss line, arch height index, foot print parameters (Clark's Angle, Chippaux-Smirak Index, Staheli Index), and baropodometer at baseline (0 week), and at the end of the exercise program (after 12th week). Injury incidence and type will also be recorded using a self-designed questionnaire.
Discussion: This study aims at evaluating the efficacy of comprehensive foot strengthening program in improving foot biomechanics and plantar pressure distribution to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries among male Bhangra dancers. The findings of this RCT will have implications for dance training protocols and injury prevention strategies.
{"title":"Efficacy of Comprehensive Foot Strengthening Program on Foot Biomechanics and Plantar Pressure to Reduce Lower Limb Injury Risk in Male Bhangra Dancers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.","authors":"Sakshi Sadhu, Ramesh Chandra Patra","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251320734","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251320734","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bhangra dance is vibrant and energy demanding art form involving dynamic footwork, jumps, kicks and rapid movements. Poor biomechanics and uneven plantar pressure is a crucial factor for injury among dancers thus, this study protocol aimed at evaluating the efficacy of comprehensive foot strengthening program in improving faulty foot biomechanics and plantar pressure distribution to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries among male Bhangra dancers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed. One hundred forty professional dancers will be recruited for this study based on G* power calculations. Seventy participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental group, undergoing a structured intrinsic foot strengthening program (IFSP; 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 30-60 minutes, mild-severe intensity). Seventy participants will be allocated to the waitlist control group, which will follow their exercise regime and dance training (randomization 1:1 ratio). Outcome measures to assess biomechanical characteristics of the foot and plantar pressure distribution will be foot posture index, navicular drop test, feiss line, arch height index, foot print parameters (Clark's Angle, Chippaux-Smirak Index, Staheli Index), and baropodometer at baseline (0 week), and at the end of the exercise program (after 12th week). Injury incidence and type will also be recorded using a self-designed questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study aims at evaluating the efficacy of comprehensive foot strengthening program in improving foot biomechanics and plantar pressure distribution to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries among male Bhangra dancers. The findings of this RCT will have implications for dance training protocols and injury prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Trial status: </strong>Recruitment has not yet started.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"14-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143606401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-26DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251319570
Juliana da Silveira, Leonessa Boing, Jéssica Amaro Moratelli, Patrícia Severo Dos Santos Saraiva, Anke Bergmann, Magnus Benetti, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães
Objective: To analyze the effects of 12 weeks of free dancing compared to the control group and the reference group without breast cancer, on depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress in women after breast cancer surgery and to verify the association between the variables. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, comprising women after breast cancer surgery (57.7 ± 9.0 years) and women without breast cancer (51.5 ± 10.8 years), divided into 3 groups; (a) received the free dance intervention (n = 11); (b) control group with breast cancer (n = 11) maintained their routine activities, and (c) control group without breast cancer (n = 12) who were matched by age and could not perform physical exercise during the study period. The dance intervention lasted 12 weeks, with 60-minute sessions, held twice a week. The evaluated outcomes were: depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Results: There was statistically significant improvement in the intragroup for free dance in depressive symptoms (P = .025), anxiety (P = .009) and stress (P = .050). No significant intragroup differences were found in the control group I and control group II, as well as intergroup differences. In the association of variables, the healthy reference group worsened in the simple analysis, for anxiety (P ≤ .001) and stress (P = .040), and worsened in the adjusted analysis, also for anxiety (P ≤ .001) and stress (P = .025). Conclusion: Free dancing had positive effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress in women after breast cancer surgery. After verifying the association of the variables, it was noticed a worsening of the variables in the CGII. Clinical registry: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (no. 0RBR-772ktp).
{"title":"Free Dance Proves to be Effective in Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety and Stress in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Juliana da Silveira, Leonessa Boing, Jéssica Amaro Moratelli, Patrícia Severo Dos Santos Saraiva, Anke Bergmann, Magnus Benetti, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251319570","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251319570","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> To analyze the effects of 12 weeks of free dancing compared to the control group and the reference group without breast cancer, on depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress in women after breast cancer surgery and to verify the association between the variables. <b>Methods:</b> Randomized clinical trial, comprising women after breast cancer surgery (57.7 ± 9.0 years) and women without breast cancer (51.5 ± 10.8 years), divided into 3 groups; (a) received the free dance intervention (n = 11); (b) control group with breast cancer (n = 11) maintained their routine activities, and (c) control group without breast cancer (n = 12) who were matched by age and could not perform physical exercise during the study period. The dance intervention lasted 12 weeks, with 60-minute sessions, held twice a week. The evaluated outcomes were: depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale). <b>Results:</b> There was statistically significant improvement in the intragroup for free dance in depressive symptoms (<i>P</i> = .025), anxiety (<i>P</i> = .009) and stress (<i>P</i> = .050). No significant intragroup differences were found in the control group I and control group II, as well as intergroup differences. In the association of variables, the healthy reference group worsened in the simple analysis, for anxiety (<i>P</i> ≤ .001) and stress (<i>P</i> = .040), and worsened in the adjusted analysis, also for anxiety (<i>P</i> ≤ .001) and stress (<i>P</i> = .025). <b>Conclusion:</b> Free dancing had positive effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress in women after breast cancer surgery. After verifying the association of the variables, it was noticed a worsening of the variables in the CGII. <b>Clinical registry:</b> Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (no. 0RBR-772ktp).</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"50-58"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143516736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251317592
Joshua Honrado, Scott Lee, Aaron Ngor, TeeJay Lee, Soutrik Mandal
Introduction: There is a dearth of dance-related injury epidemiology within the breaking competition setting. Breaking injury surveillance data has predominantly been collected retrospectively at healthcare facilities or through survey research. Methods: Medical staff were available at 6 breaking competitions between 2021 and 2023 to provide musculoskeletal care and triage. In addition to consent of treatment, participants provided their age, gender, and injured body area(s), symptom onset, and description. A total of 157 patient reports were obtained, de-identified, and utilized for comparative frequency and logistic regression analysis. Results: The most common body areas that breakers sought care for were: 39% (n = 61) shoulder, 32% (n = 51) neck, 32% (n = 50) lower back, and 25% (n = 40) upper back. The majority of injuries 61% (n = 95) occurred >3 months prior to competition. The most common descriptions of injury were: 57% (n = 89) tightness, 46% (n = 73) pain, and 33% (n = 52) soreness. Logistic regression analysis revealed that: older patients have higher odds of experiencing the issue during or before the competition (P-value = .003); and that age was the only variable that was borderline statistically significant for hip injury (P-value = .055). Conclusion: The highest frequency of dance-related injury within a breaking competition setting cohort was found to be in the shoulder, neck, and back. The highest frequency of injury description were tightness, pain, and soreness. There was a large frequency of chronic injuries that were seen, and older patients were found to have a higher odds of experiencing and seeking medical treatment for a chronic injury. Access to injury management services and education for the shoulder, neck, and back should be provided at breaking competitions to improve health outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level 4.
{"title":"Epidemiology of Patients With Dance-Related Injuries Presenting to Medical Staff at Breaking Competitions in the United States, 2021-2023.","authors":"Joshua Honrado, Scott Lee, Aaron Ngor, TeeJay Lee, Soutrik Mandal","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251317592","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251317592","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> There is a dearth of dance-related injury epidemiology within the breaking competition setting. Breaking injury surveillance data has predominantly been collected retrospectively at healthcare facilities or through survey research. <b>Methods:</b> Medical staff were available at 6 breaking competitions between 2021 and 2023 to provide musculoskeletal care and triage. In addition to consent of treatment, participants provided their age, gender, and injured body area(s), symptom onset, and description. A total of 157 patient reports were obtained, de-identified, and utilized for comparative frequency and logistic regression analysis. <b>Results:</b> The most common body areas that breakers sought care for were: 39% (n = 61) shoulder, 32% (n = 51) neck, 32% (n = 50) lower back, and 25% (n = 40) upper back. The majority of injuries 61% (n = 95) occurred >3 months prior to competition. The most common descriptions of injury were: 57% (n = 89) tightness, 46% (n = 73) pain, and 33% (n = 52) soreness. Logistic regression analysis revealed that: older patients have higher odds of experiencing the issue during or before the competition (<i>P</i>-value = .003); and that age was the only variable that was borderline statistically significant for hip injury (<i>P</i>-value = .055). <b>Conclusion:</b> The highest frequency of dance-related injury within a breaking competition setting cohort was found to be in the shoulder, neck, and back. The highest frequency of injury description were tightness, pain, and soreness. There was a large frequency of chronic injuries that were seen, and older patients were found to have a higher odds of experiencing and seeking medical treatment for a chronic injury. Access to injury management services and education for the shoulder, neck, and back should be provided at breaking competitions to improve health outcomes. <b>Level of Evidence:</b> Level 4.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"28-32"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143366205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-13DOI: 10.1177/1089313X251318544
Laura Flanagan, Edel Quin, Neal Smith
Introduction: Knee-drop landings following a dance leap are often used in contemporary dance choreography, but there is limited research into the biomechanical demands of these types of landing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a verbal cueing intervention on the performance and kinetics of a common knee-drop landing in contemporary trained dance students. Method: Pre-vocational dance students participated in this study (n = 8). A quasi-experimental research design was followed to collect kinematic and kinetic data using 3D motion capture and force plates following the take-off and during a knee-drop landing of a contemporary dance style leap pre and post a verbal cueing intervention. Performance variables analysed were jump height and flight time, while kinetic variables included vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) and loading rates. Results: A statistically significant increase in jump height and flight time was found post intervention; There was no significant difference between pre and post intervention for peak vGRFs at foot or knee impact or loading rate of the whole landing phase. Conclusion: The verbal cueing intervention was successful in increasing flight time and jump height, indicating optimised performance. The lack of significant difference in peak vGRFs and loading rate in the landing phase implies that the intervention did not have a detrimental effect on musculoskeletal loading. These findings demonstrate the positive influence of a verbal cue which focusses on increasing flight time and opposing the landing for enhancing the execution of a dance leap without negatively affecting the forces being experienced in the knee-drop landing that followed. However, it should be noted that the small sample size and lack of a control group in this study may limit the reliability of findings and mean that the generalizability of these findings should interpreted with caution.
{"title":"Increased Leap Performance With No Change to Knee-Drop Landing Kinetics, Following a Verbal Cueing Intervention.","authors":"Laura Flanagan, Edel Quin, Neal Smith","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251318544","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251318544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Knee-drop landings following a dance leap are often used in contemporary dance choreography, but there is limited research into the biomechanical demands of these types of landing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a verbal cueing intervention on the performance and kinetics of a common knee-drop landing in contemporary trained dance students. <b>Method:</b> Pre-vocational dance students participated in this study (n = 8). A quasi-experimental research design was followed to collect kinematic and kinetic data using 3D motion capture and force plates following the take-off and during a knee-drop landing of a contemporary dance style leap pre and post a verbal cueing intervention. Performance variables analysed were jump height and flight time, while kinetic variables included vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) and loading rates. <b>Results:</b> A statistically significant increase in jump height and flight time was found post intervention; There was no significant difference between pre and post intervention for peak vGRFs at foot or knee impact or loading rate of the whole landing phase. <b>Conclusion:</b> The verbal cueing intervention was successful in increasing flight time and jump height, indicating optimised performance. The lack of significant difference in peak vGRFs and loading rate in the landing phase implies that the intervention did not have a detrimental effect on musculoskeletal loading. These findings demonstrate the positive influence of a verbal cue which focusses on increasing flight time and opposing the landing for enhancing the execution of a dance leap without negatively affecting the forces being experienced in the knee-drop landing that followed. However, it should be noted that the small sample size and lack of a control group in this study may limit the reliability of findings and mean that the generalizability of these findings should interpreted with caution.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"41-49"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143410727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}