Author(s): RAKOVAC, M., SAJKOVIC, D.1,2, Institution: UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGY, Country: CROATIA, Abstract-ID: 1916

INTRODUCTION:
The physical demands placed on classical dancers throughout the season necessitate a high-level of physical fitness, which has also been linked to decreased injury occurrence (Dang et al, 2023). There are also significant differences in the workload between soloists and corps de ballet members (Shaw et al, 2023). The aim of the study was to test the differences in: 1. physical fitness (body composition, flexibility, muscle fitness and aerobic fitness) during the peak performance period of the season and the one-year injury incidence rate between soloists and corps de ballet members of a professional ballet company; 2. physical fitness between dancers who suffered severe and non-severe injuries.
METHODS:
The participants were professional ballet dancers (N=40; 18 soloists/22 corps de ballet members; 26 females (age (mean ± SD) 32.2±7.9 yrs, body height 166.1±4.3 cm, body weight 52.6±5.4 kg) and 14 males (29.7±7.4 yrs, 177.9±4.8 cm, 69.5±7.0 kg). The physical fitness components tested during the peak performance period were: body composition (seven-skinfold method), aerobic fitness (Astrand-Ryhming submaximal cycle ergometer test), flexibility (hip joint and ankle joint), muscle fitness (forearm plank test, push-ups, vertical jump test, repeated jump test). Absence from professional activities and injury type and severity were monitored during a one-year period. Student t-test was used to determine the differences in physical fitness and injury incidence rate between soloists and corps de ballet members, and in physical fitness between dancers who suffered severe and non-severe injuries.
RESULTS:
The difference in the injury incidence rate according to the position in the ensemble (0.86 per 1,000 soloists-exposures vs 0.60 per 1,000 corps de ballet members-exposures) was not statistically significant (p=0.367). Soloists had significantly better results only in the plank test (46.8 vs 36.0 s, p=0.042) and in the vertical jump test (46.9 vs 40.5 cm, p=0.040). Dancers who suffered non-severe injuries (<28 days of absence) had significantly greater range of ankle dorsiflexion than dancers who suffered severe injuries (>28 days of absence) (right ankle: 17.40±4.01 vs 12.88±3.18 degrees, respectively, p=0.019; left ankle: 16.40±3.24 vs 12.75± 2.60 degrees, p=0.020).
CONCLUSION:
The soloists had significantly better upper body muscle endurance and lower extremities explosive strength compared to corps-de-ballet members, which could be attributed to the rank-associated workload differences, i.e., preparation to meet the aesthetic and explosive demands of the specific roles. However, there was no significant difference in injury incidence rates between the two groups of dancers. The higher incidence of severe injuries in dancers with a limited ankle dorsiflexion underscores the importance of injury prevention strategies and conditioning for this joint.

References
Dang et al. (2023) Int J Sports Med, 44, 108.
Shaw et al. (2023) J Dance Med Sci, 27, 3.