Knee angular displacement analysis in amateur ballet dancers: A pilot study. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faria, Flávia; Atalaia, Tiago; Carles, Maria L.; Coutinho, Isabel
• Is Part Of: European journal of physiotherapy. Volume 15:Number 4(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Therapeutics, Physiological -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.3109/21679169.2013.840859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-9169

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Ballet gestures are highly non-anatomical and physiological, leading to compensatory behaviors. The knee joint is most affected by this behavior, leading to an increase risk of injury. Our purpose is to describe the knee angular displacement in amateur dancers, during a <italic>demi-plié</italic> exercise, with emphasis on valgus mechanisms frequency. <italic>Methods:</italic> 192 <italic>demi-pliés</italic> collected in six amateur female dancers (mean age = 15.33 ± 1.37 years), were analyzed regarding sagittal and frontal plane angular displacement, with an electrogoniometer connected to a signal acquisition unit at 1000 Hz. <italic>Results:</italic> all subjects presented valgus peaks along the trials, despite the global varus tendency of the knee frontal plane behavior. A significant positive correlation between the frequency of valgus and practice time was noted. <italic>Discussion:</italic> A variable angular frontal displacement was observed, with some trials comprehending a high incidence of valgus peaks along the ascending or descending phase of the <italic>demi-plié</italic> exercise. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> the frontal knee angle behavior is variable. It may present fast peaks of valgus or an initial trend of varus/valgus that is different from the global varus trend. The analysis of the activity should be considered in the training. The practice time may be related to the observed behavior.</p> </abstract>