Although dance does not come to mind first in regards to rigorous sport, it is truly a highly demanding activity on the physical body. Many begin dancing at age four or five, ahead of them a long career of repetitive practices for endurance, lower extremity strength, and extreme flexibility. Thus, dancers are prime candidates for overuse injuries, especially as age increases. The foot complex is the most frequently injured body part in dance, as seen through studies claiming its comprising of 27%-49% of all injuries in ballet, modern, flamenco, and tap dancers, with experience being a factor (ANKLE AND FOOT INJURIES IN DANCERS). Ankle joint compression forces have been calculated to endure five times one’s body weight while walking and nine
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All of these mechanical stressors may result in injuries including ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, posterior ankle impingement, and stress fractures, which all can greatly impede performance and/or participation due to their effects (ANKLE AND FOOT INJURIES IN DANCERS). This report will explain the biomechanical effects of ankle injury on dance activity through common moves such as the sissonne fermee and grande plie. Multiple studies will be referenced to support that ankle instability is common in dance and alters the strict technique desired in the activity, causing inefficiencies and weaker power …show more content…
It can be performed moving forward, backward, or sideways in the sagittal and frontal planes; but, nonetheless, all three directions prepare with a demi-plie (a bilateral knee flexion with feet flat on the ground). Then, the dancer jumps and extends the legs simultaneously away from the midline of the body in a “scissor-like” movement and closes back on the floor in fifth position. The trailing leg has an important role in sustaining balance because it pushes off the ground and propels the body toward the direction of the leading leg while stabilizing the body to allow the leading leg to seamlessly touch the ground. It is the completion of the movement by immediately sliding into fifth position for closing in demi-plie. However, the leading leg is considered dominant in movement initiation by plantar flexing the ankle, extending the knee, and absorbing impact force at landing. Evidently, correct alignment and muscle activity of both limbs are required to perform the
All of these mechanical stressors may result in injuries including ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, posterior ankle impingement, and stress fractures, which all can greatly impede performance and/or participation due to their effects (ANKLE AND FOOT INJURIES IN DANCERS). This report will explain the biomechanical effects of ankle injury on dance activity through common moves such as the sissonne fermee and grande plie. Multiple studies will be referenced to support that ankle instability is common in dance and alters the strict technique desired in the activity, causing inefficiencies and weaker power …show more content…
It can be performed moving forward, backward, or sideways in the sagittal and frontal planes; but, nonetheless, all three directions prepare with a demi-plie (a bilateral knee flexion with feet flat on the ground). Then, the dancer jumps and extends the legs simultaneously away from the midline of the body in a “scissor-like” movement and closes back on the floor in fifth position. The trailing leg has an important role in sustaining balance because it pushes off the ground and propels the body toward the direction of the leading leg while stabilizing the body to allow the leading leg to seamlessly touch the ground. It is the completion of the movement by immediately sliding into fifth position for closing in demi-plie. However, the leading leg is considered dominant in movement initiation by plantar flexing the ankle, extending the knee, and absorbing impact force at landing. Evidently, correct alignment and muscle activity of both limbs are required to perform the