Introduction: Ballet is a technically demanding dance form in which repetitive loading, jumps, landings, work on demi-pointe and pointe, and extreme ranges of motion increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, especially in the lower limbs. Preventive exercise programs are therefore aimed at improving muscle strength and endurance, balance, proprioception, neuromuscular control, and take-off and landing technique. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma thesis was to review the scientific literature and present preventive exercise programs that reduce pain and the risk of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries in ballet dancers, and improve muscle performance and balance. Methods: A descriptive method with a literature review was used. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus databases and in the Google Scholar search engine using the following keywords: ballet, injury, musculoskeletal injury, ballet dancer, injury audit program, resistance training, strength, power, lower extremity, hip, knee and ankle. Studies whose participants were ballet dancers and that examined preventive or supplementary exercise programs were included, as well as full-text articles and articles published in English. Results: Six studies were included in the review. In five studies, a total of 193 participants were included, while in one study the number of participants was reported separately for each year of the three-year follow-up period (52, 58 and 53). Three studies included an experimental and a control group, one study compared two active groups, and two studies did not include a classic control group. The interventions included an injury prevention program, the 11+ Dance program, a conditioning program, a health promotion program, an individualized program based on functional screening, and resistance training. The interventions lasted from 9 to 52 weeks, while one study followed the program over a three-year period. The clearest effects were observed in the reduction of injury occurrence or incidence. Individual studies also reported improvements in muscle performance, pain and balance, but the results were not consistent. Discussion and conclusion: Preventive exercise programs may contribute to reducing musculoskeletal injuries in ballet dancers, especially when they include strengthening of the trunk, hip and lower limb muscles, balance, proprioception and neuromuscular control. Due to the small number of studies, heterogeneous programs and inconsistent reporting of results, further high-quality research is needed.
|
