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Relationship between nutrient intake, body mass index, menstrual function, and ballet injury
J E Benson1, C J Geiger, P A Eiserman
1Division of Foods and Nutrition, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Ballet dancers with abnormal menstrual cycles or low Body Mass Index (BMI) experienced more injuries. Nutritional supplements did not significantly alter injury rates in this study.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Dance Science
Background:
- Ballet dancers face high injury rates.
- Inadequate nutrition, menstrual dysfunction, and low body weight are potential risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nutritional intake, menstrual function, body weight, and injury rates in female ballet dancers.
- To assess the efficacy of vitamin/mineral supplementation in reducing injuries.
Main Methods:
- Forty-nine female ballet dancers completed food frequency and injury questionnaires.
- Dancers were grouped by nutrient intake relative to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA).
- Intervention groups received supplements or placebo; a control group received no treatment.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in injury severity or type were found between supplement, placebo, and control groups.
- Dancers with abnormal menses reported more bone injuries than normally menstruating dancers (p < .05).
- Dancers with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 19.0 experienced more days with low-grade injuries than those with a higher BMI (p < .05).
Conclusions:
- A relationship exists between dance injuries and both BMI and menstrual function.
- Nutritional supplementation did not appear to impact injury rates in this cohort.
- Further research is needed to explore preventative strategies for ballet-related injuries.