LOW BACK PAIN IN DANCERS- A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: In dance literature, Low back pain (LBP) has been referred to as one of the most predominant musculoskeletal disorders encountered by dancers. Thus there is a need to support the prevalence of low back pain in dancers with different styles and associated risk factors to it.

Purpose: To find out the evidence for the prevalence of   low back pain in dancers and to list the causes of   low back pain which is considered as risk factors in dancers

Methods: Studies published between 2000 -2023 were included from different dance styles like Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Ballet, hip-hop and modern dancers, age group-15-40 yrs. Out of 46 studies that were screened; nine fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the review.

Results: Prevalence of back pain in Kathak dancers mostly due to barefoot stamping with pronated foot. In Bharatanatyam dancers due to maintenance of posture (half sitting, full sitting position), there is hyperlordosis, inadequate core muscle strength, increased anterior pelvic tilt, tightening of the lumbar extensor musculature, and insufficient strength of hamstring muscles. Injury seems relatively high in ballet dancers where the two movements are most common the demi plié (which is the same as aramandi in Bharatanatyam) and grand plié (which also is identical to muzumandi).

Conclusion: This study aims to call attention to this gap of enumerating the various risk factors for back pain with repetitive body movements according to each dance style. Rehabilitation program should be implemented at the earliest who will emphasize dancers to be trained at an early stage.

Keywords-low back pain dancers, dancers, dance style