Associated factors in musculoskeletal Injury in professional ballet dancers: Literature review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v26i4.1084

Keywords:

Dancing; Ballet, Reinjuries; Musculoskeletal Diseases.

Abstract

Introduction: Classical ballet movements require highly refined technique, often demanding joint positions and muscular efforts that exceed normal kinesiological limits, leading to mechanical stress and potential injuries. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to identify the anatomical sites and describe the main factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries in classical ballet dancers. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted through searches in Portuguese and English articles indexed in Science Direct, SciELO, Medline, and PubMed databases, using the keywords: injuries, dancing, ballet, and physical therapy. No publication year restriction was applied. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies addressing injuries in professional ballet dancers were included. Results: Sixteen studies were identified, analyzing injuries in ballet companies from different countries. All studies reported a high prevalence of injuries among ballet dancers. Regarding anatomical location, the ankle was the most frequently reported site. Injuries in this joint were primarily attributed to the technical postural demands of ballet and the repetitive impact associated with jump landings. Conclusion: The ankle was consistently identified as the most affected anatomical site in the reviewed studies, mainly due to the biomechanical demands of ballet technique and repetitive loading during jumps.

Author Biographies

  • Estele Caroline Welter Meereis Lemos, UFES

    Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

  • Clarissa Stefani Teixeira, UFSC

    Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brasil

  • Fernando Eduardo Zikan, UFRJ

    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

     

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Published

2025-09-09

How to Cite

Associated factors in musculoskeletal Injury in professional ballet dancers: Literature review. (2025). Fisioterapia Brasil, 26(4), 2338-2349. https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v26i4.1084