Components of Pre-professional/Adolescent Dance Screens: What Should We Include?

Area of Science:

• Dance Science
• Sports Medicine
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Preseason screening is becoming standard practice in dance healthcare.
• The effectiveness and specificity of these screenings are under review.
• Current practices raise questions about their utility in assessing injury risk.

Discussion:

• This editorial addresses the value of preseason screenings in identifying potential injury risks for dancers.
• It explores whether a universal screening approach is suitable or if dancer-specific assessments are necessary.
• The purpose of screening and the selection of appropriate tests for adolescent dancers are discussed.

Key Insights:

• Preseason screenings can offer valuable insights into injury risk for dancers.
• Dancer-specific screening protocols may be more effective than general athletic assessments.
• Over 20 years of experience inform recommendations for effective screening strategies.

Outlook:

• Further research into dancer-specific screening tools is warranted.
• Implementing evidence-based screening practices can enhance dancer health and longevity.
• Standardizing effective preseason screening will improve injury prevention in professional and pre-professional dancers.