Related Experiment Videos
Stress fractures in ballet dancers
N J Kadel1, C C Teitz, R A Kronmal
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Ballet dancers with prolonged amenorrhea and over 5 hours of daily training face a higher risk of stress fractures. These factors, alongside heavy schedules, predispose dancers to injuries like metatarsal fractures.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Dance Science
Background:
- Ballet dancers experience high rates of lower extremity injuries.
- Stress fractures are a common concern in athletic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for stress fractures in professional ballet dancers.
- To investigate the relationship between training volume, amenorrhea, and fracture incidence.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 54 female dancers in professional ballet companies.
- Analysis of fracture types and correlation with training hours and menstrual history.
Main Results:
- 17 dancers reported 27 fractures; metatarsal fractures were most common (63%).
- Dancers training >5 hours/day had significantly higher stress fracture rates.
- Longer amenorrhea duration correlated with increased stress fracture risk.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged amenorrhea and intensive training schedules are significant risk factors for stress fractures in ballet dancers.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring training load and menstrual status in dancers.