Pain and Injury in Elite Adolescent Irish Dancers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dance is an extremely popular activity among adolescents with a range of associated physical and psychological health benefits. However, pain/injury in young elite dancers is pervasive, and the underlying risk factors are... [ view full abstract ]

Dance is an extremely popular activity among adolescents with a range of associated physical and psychological health benefits. However, pain/injury in young elite dancers is pervasive, and the underlying risk factors are poorly understood. This study investigated the incidence of pain/injury in elite adolescent Irish dancers and examined a range of biopsychosocial risk factors potentially associated with that incidence. Thirty-seven championship level Irish dancers completed baseline questionnaires recording any episode of pain/injury over the previous twelve months. Additionally, dancers provided information regarding their dance practices, general health, sleep, eating habits, and a range of psychological factors including mood, catastrophizing, passion for dance, and achievement motivation. A baseline physical screening protocol including assessment of balance, fitness, flexibility, endurance, and functional movement was conducted. Subjects were separated into a “More Pain/Injury (MPI)” group (n= 17) or “Less Pain/Injury (LPI)” group (n=20) based on their reported pain/injury history over the previous year. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test for skewed variables, and the test of independence for categorical variables as appropriate. Eighty-four percent of subjects recorded at least one pain/injury during the previous year. The lower limb, particularly the foot and ankle, was most commonly affected. Factors significantly associated with pain/injury included having an unusual number of troublesome body parts (p = 0.002), often/always dancing in pain (p = 0.033), and high levels of anger/hostility (p = 0.045). This study demonstrates that elite adolescent Irish dance is associated with a substantial risk of pain/injury, which appears to be greater than that incurred by young dancers from other genres. Proposed explanations include inappropriate technique progression, unique choreographic features, and an overly arduous calendar of competitive events. A prospective study nearing completion will help clarify causal factors in these dancers.