Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia

Natalie Cheers; Mark Matheson; Ian Skinner; Cherie Wells

doi:10.1177/1089313X231224011

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Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia

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Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia

Natalie Cheers, Mark Matheson, Ian Skinner and Cherie Wells

Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, Vol.28(2), pp.90-108

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1089313X231224011

PMID: 38279801

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

ballet

dance

adolescent/children/pediatrics

injury

survey

qualitative

social identity theory

injury impact

injury prevention

injury management

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Objective: To explore perspectives and experiences of adolescent ballet dancers in Australia in relation to dance-related injuries and their impact, injury risk factors, prevention, and treatment. Design: Adolescent ballet dancers aged from 12 to 19 years in Australia were invited to participate in an online qualitative survey. Methods: Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed thematically using grounded theory while quantitative information was summarized with descriptive statistics and triangulated with qualitative data. Results: Nineteen adolescent dancers reported experiencing pain and multiple injuries but hiding or ignoring injuries due to fear. Dancers recognized the significant physical and psycho-social impact of dance-related injuries on themselves and others. Several risks and injury prevention strategies were identified by dancers. Dancers perceived that treatments were not always informed or effective. Conclusion: Findings suggest that adolescent ballet dancers experience multiple dance-related injuries but require support to disclose injuries, participate in injury prevention, and access treatment. Health professionals may improve quality of care by increasing their understanding of ballet and providing specific management advice. Dance teachers may benefit from further education to support their students. Clinical trials are required to confirm or negate the validity of proposed injury risks and the effectiveness of injury prevention strategies and treatments.

Details

Title: Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia
Authors: Natalie Cheers (Corresponding Author) - Charles Sturt University
Mark Matheson (Author) - Charles Sturt University
Ian Skinner (Author) - Charles Sturt University
Cherie Wells (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Publication details: Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, Vol.28(2), pp.90-108
Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc.
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1177/1089313X231224011
ISSN: 2374-8060
PMID: 38279801
Copyright note: © The Author(s) 2024. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991001298202621
Output Type: Journal article

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