Evaluation of posture and flexibility in ballet dancers.

Objectives: Ballet dancers require a high level of control on their muscles in order to perform various dance figures. Special ballet moves require adaptive changes in order to maintain posture while performing classical ballet dance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in body postures and range of motion in certain joints between female classical ballet students and female non-dancer students. Methods: Fifty nine female university students participated in the study; 30 were studying classical ballet at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory and 29 were studying at Baflkent University with no professional dancing history. Students in both groups were compared by conducting a body posture analysis anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly with the symmetrigraf chart. Range of motion of the joints was measured using a goniometer and distances were measured using an anthropometer. Results: Ballet education was a factor in the development of hallux valgus and genu varum deformities (p<0.001). Being a ballet dancer or not was determined to be a factor for the development of genu recurvatum (p=0.004), but not related to the flexion angle on knee (p>0.05). The median values of body flexion and hyperextension showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Postural defects caused by the adaptive changes that occur during ballet training can be assessed easily by using a symmetrigra. It is also possible to evaluate the degree of the deformities that can develop by time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]