Screening Protocols for Pointe Readiness in Young Adolescent Female Dance Students: A Delphi Study.

Area of Science:

• Dance Science
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Analysis

Background:

• Increased risk of injury in pointe training for unprepared students.
• Need for reliable screening protocols to assess pointe readiness.
• Focus on young adolescent female dancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• Achieve expert consensus on reliable screening protocols for pointe readiness.
• Identify key physical attributes and functional skills for pointe preparedness.
• Compare the reliability of different assessment methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Delphi method with online surveys distributed in rounds.
• Recruited 15 dance experts with extensive professional or clinical experience.
• Employed descriptive and thematic analysis to reach 60% consensus.

Main Results:

• Consensus reached on critical physical attributes: ankle alignment, pelvic stability, ankle strength/stability, and lower limb alignment.
• Key screening measures included medical history, teacher assessment, and specific physical tests (heel raise, single leg plié).
• Functional skills tests comprised heel raise, single leg sauté, passé relevé balance, and pencil test; teacher assessment favored over test batteries.

Conclusions:

• Expert consensus identified crucial physical and functional elements for pointe readiness.
• Teacher assessment was considered more reliable than test batteries.
• Further research is needed to validate the association between specific tests and teacher assessments for pointe readiness.