Morphological characteristics of the young scoliotic dancer

Abstract

Background

The literature lacks important data about the relationship between scoliosis and growth process, scoliosis and intensive exercise, scoliosis and morphological characteristics, and scoliosis and injuries, among young dancers.

Objective

The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which dance experience, body structure, anatomical anomalies and injuries are associated with scoliosis, and to identify variables able to discriminate between scoliotic and non-scoliotic female dancers at time of screening.

Design

Cross-sectional cohort study.

Methods

One thousand two hundred and eighty-eight non-professional female dancers, aged 8–16 years, were screened for the current study. We determined their morphometrical profile (height, weight, BMI), dance discipline (as hours of practice per week), manifestation of anatomical anomalies, and existing injuries. All dancers were clinically examined for presence of scoliosis.

Results

Three hundred and seven of the 1288 dancers (23.8%) were diagnosed as having scoliosis. Dance experience and body structure were similar for dancers with or without scoliosis. Scoliotic dancers presented a significantly higher prevalence of anatomical anomalies (such as genu varum, and hallux valgus). Back injuries were more common among scoliotic dancers compared to non-scoliotic dancers.

Conclusion

Screening and identifying the young scoliotic dancers prior to their advancing to higher levels of exercise is recommended. The scoliotic dancers should realize that there might be a connection between the presence of scoliosis and increased incidence of anatomical anomalies and back pain, hence, it should be suggested they seek help with an adequate assessment and exercise rehabilitation program.

Introduction

A variety of musculoskeletal disorders have been described in athletes (Owoeye, 2010, Tanaka et al., 2010) and in dancers (Bronner, Ojofeitimi, & Spriggs, 2003) which may significantly impact their performance and future profession. Scoliosis is a common disorder among children and adolescents. Yilmaz, Zateri, Vurur and Bakar (2012) recently reported that prevalence of scoliosis ranged from 1% to 2% among school children (6–15 years old) (Yilmaz et al., 2012). That prevalence of scoliosis is higher for children participating in sports activities, and especially for athletic girls compared to their age-matched non-athletic controls (Modi et al., 2008, Tanchev et al., 2000). Although that phenomenon may have significant impact on the careers of young dancers (Warren, Brooks-Gunn, & Hamilton, 1986), the literature lacks important data mainly regarding the following: a) the relationship between the growth process, intensive exercise and scoliosis; b) how scoliosis in young dancers may affect their physical behavior during dancing; c) how prone scoliotic dancers are to injury and if so, of what type.

Dance is a very popular sports activity among girls during childhood and adolescence, the critical periods of growth and maturation. The interaction between growth processes, intensive exercise and scoliosis is not clear: Dickson (1999) for example suggested that intensive exercise may improve scoliosis, while Kenanidis, Potoupnis, Papavasiliou, Sayegh, and Kapetanos (2010) claimed that exercise may worsen scoliosis. As dance is a highly repetitive sporting activity that imposes high stress on the immature spine, the risk of curvature of the spine structure increases (Omey et al., 2000, Warren et al., 1986). Furthermore, the stresses exerted on the scoliotic spine over many years may be associated with an increased incidence of specific injuries among scoliotic dancers (Kenanidis et al., 2008, Kenanidis et al., 2010).

The question of whether scoliosis is related to other anatomical anomalies is barely discussed in the literature (Burwell et al., 2008). Postural modifications such as knee or foot misalignment are often found in athletes (Yaniv, Becker, Goldwirt, Khamis, Steinberg, & Weintroub, 2006) and in dancers (Hamilton et al., 2006). In this stage of physical growth, posture undergoes many adjustments and adaptations due to changes in proportions (Penha, João, Casarotto, Amino, & Penteado, 2005) and to sports-related musculoskeletal demands during growth (Yaniv et al., 2006).

As only little is known about young non-professional female dancers, two aims were set for the present study: evaluating the prevalence of scoliosis among this group of dancers, and comparing the morphological characteristics and injury pattern of scoliotic dancers compared to non-scoliotic dancers at time of screening.