Injuries in professional Irish dancers

NewsBot · Feb 16, 2010

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Overuse ankle injuries in professional Irish dancers.
Walls RJ, Brennan SA, Hodnett P, O'Byrne JM, Eustace SJ, Stephens MM.
Foot Ankle Surg. 2010 Mar;16(1):45-49

BACKGROUND: Overuse ankle injuries have been described in elite athletes and professional ballet dancers however the spectrum of injuries experienced by professional Irish dancers has not been defined.

METHODS: A troupe of actively performing dancers from an Irish-dance show were recruited (eight male, ten female; mean age, 26 years). The prevalence of overuse injuries in the right ankle was determined from magnetic resonance imaging. Foot and ankle self-report questionnaires were also completed (AOFAS and FAOS).

RESULTS: Only three ankles were considered radiologically normal. Achilles tendinopathy, usually insertional, was the most frequent observation (n=14) followed by plantar fasciitis (n=7), bone oedema (n=2) and calcaneocuboid joint degeneration (n=2). There were limited correlations between MRI patterns and clinical scores indicating that many conditions are sub-clinical. Dancers with ankle pain had poor low (p=0.004) and high (p=0.013) level function.

CONCLUSIONS: Overuse ankle injuries are common in Irish dancers. Incorporating eccentric exercises and plantar fascia stretching into a regular training program may benefit this population.
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NewsBot · Jun 8, 2017

Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury in Irish Dance: A Prospective Study
Roisin Cahalan, Helen Purtill, Kieran O'Sullivan
Medical Problems of Performing Artists: Volume 32 Number 2: Page 111 (June 2017)

BACKGROUND: Foot and ankle pain/injury (FAPI) is the most common musculoskeletal problem suffered in Irish dancing. A prospective examination of risk factors for FAPI in this cohort has never been performed.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study over 1-year.
METHODS: 85 elite adult Irish dancers were screened at baseline for biopsychosocial factors and followed up prospectively each month for 1 year to evaluate FAPI rates and potential risk factors. Subjects who suffered from multiple incidences of FAPI (with no pain/injury reported elsewhere in the body) or at least one moderate episode of FAPI were allocated to the foot/ankle-injured (FAI) group (n=28, 25 F/3 M). Subjects reporting no pain/injury or only one minor FAPI were allocated to the non-injured group (n=21, 14 F/7 M). Baseline differences in variables between groups were tested with the independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test for skewed data, and Fisher¿s exact test for categorical variables.
RESULTS: Baseline factors significantly associated with the FAI group included failing to always perform a warm-up (p=0.042), lower levels of energy (p=0.013), and more bothersome pain (p=0.021). Subjects also scored worse on two dimensions of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory: i.e., coping with adversity (p=0.035) and goal setting and mental preparation (p=0.009).
CONCLUSION: Several biopsychosocial factors appear to be associated with FAPI in Irish dancers. Biopsychosocial screening protocols and prevention strategies may best identify and support at-risk dancers.
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NewsBot · Jun 1, 2018

Pain and Injury in Elite Adolescent Irish Dancers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Cahalan, Roisin1; Bargary, Norma2; O'Sullivan, Kieran3
Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, Volume 22, Number 2, June 2018, pp. 91-99(9)

Dance is an extremely popular activity among adolescents and has a range of associated physical and psychological health benefits. However, pain and injury in young elite dancers is pervasive, and the underlying risk factors are poorly understood. This study investigated the incidence of pain and injury in elite adolescent Irish dancers and examined a range of potentially associated biopsychosocial risk factors. Thirty-seven championship level Irish dancers completed baseline questionnaires recording any episode of pain or injury over the previous 12 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 and injury (MPI)" group (N = 17) or "less pain and injury (LPI)" group (N = 20) based on their reported pain and injury history over the previous year. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent samples ttest, 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 or injury during the previous year. The lower limb, particularly the foot and ankle, was most commonly affected. Factors significantly associated with pain and injury included having an unusual number of troublesome body parts (p = 0.002), often or always dancing in pain (p = 0.033), and high levels of anger or hostility (p = 0.045). This study demonstrates that elite adolescent Irish dance is associated with a substantial risk of pain and injury that 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.
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NewsBot · Apr 16, 2023

Irish Dancing Injuries and Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review.
Póvoa, A.R.; Costa, C.M.; Simões, S.; Azevedo, A.M.; Oliveira, R.
Preprints.org 2023, 2023040234. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.0234.v1.Copy

Background: Irish dance is growing in popularity, evolving to a more athletic and demanding dance style. Aims: To conduct a systematic review, previously registered with PROSPERO, to identify prevalence, incidence, and injury pattern among Irish dancers and analyse associated risk factors. Methods: Six online databases, plus two dance-specific science publications were searched systematically. Studies were included if the pattern of injuries among Irish dancers were evaluated or the factors associated with injury were analysed, published in English or Portuguese, in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Four reviewers assessed the quality and level of evidence using the Downs and Black criteria and a modified Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine 2009 model, respectively. Results: Eleven articles were included, 8 level 3c (cross-sectional) and 3 level 3b (prospective). Mean DB percentage score was 63% ± 7,2%. Prevalence ranged from 72,2% to 92,6%, affecting mostly the foot/ankle complex. Only 2 articles reported incidence, which ranged from 3,4–10,6 injuries/1000 hours danced depending on injury definition. Psychological factors, elite level, and insufficient/poor sleep were associated with musculoskeletal injury. Conclusions: Injury prevalence and incidence is high in Irish dancers, with the foot and ankle more affected. Due to heterogeneity in injury definitions, methods, and populations, along with the need for improvement in studies quality, recommendations were made for future research.
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NewsBot · Jul 4, 2023

Irish Dancing Injuries and Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review
Ana Rita Póvoa et al
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jun 20;20(12):6190

Irish dance is growing in popularity, evolving to a more athletic and demanding dance style. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review, previously registered with PROSPERO, to identify the prevalence, incidence, and the injury pattern among Irish dancers and analyse the associated risk factors. Six online databases and two dance-specific science publications were searched systematically. Studies were included if the patterns of injuries among Irish dancers were evaluated or the factors associated with injury were analysed, published in English or Portuguese, in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Four reviewers assessed the quality and level of evidence using the Downs and Black criteria and a modified Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine 2009 model, respectively. Eleven articles were included, eight of Level 3c (cross-sectional) and three of Level 3b (prospective). Mean DB percentage score was 63% ± 7.2%. Prevalence ranged from 72.2% to 92.6%, affecting mostly the foot/ankle complex. Only two articles reported incidence, which ranged from 3.4 to 10.6 injuries/1000 h danced depending on injury definition. Psychological factors, elite level, and insufficient/poor sleep were associated with musculoskeletal injury. Injury prevalence and incidence is high in Irish dancers, with the foot and ankle being more affected. Due to heterogeneity in injury definitions, methods, and populations, along with the need for improvement in studies quality, recommendations were made for future research.
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