Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Characteristics In Child And Adult Bharatanatyam Dancers

Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance that involves high impact movements. Knowledge of injury prevalence, musculoskeletal, and biomechanical characteristics of Bharatanatyam dancers can help educate dancers about injury prevention and rehabilitation. PURPOSE: To compare biomechanical and musculoskeletal factors associated with injury in Bharatanatyam dancers. METHODS: Data for range of motion (ROM), strength, forces, and accelerations were collected on 8 female dancers: 4 children (8-9 years old) and 4 adults: (19-52 years old). For ROM and strength, goniometry and handheld dynamometers were used. Data was analyzed with Excel software. ROM and strength measurements were compared between children and adults. Forces and accelerations were collected using insole sensors and inertial measurement as dancers performed 4 tasks: 2 minute walk, 3 countermovement jumps, 3 minute dance practice, and 5 minute full dance routine. Peak vertical force and acceleration were calculated for each task and compared between children and adults for dominant and non-dominant foot. A 1-way repeated measures ANOVA comparing biomechanical assessments during tasks and descriptive statistics comparing children to adults were used. RESULTS: 1 dancer reported a prior injury; none were currently injured. Children reported 2.8 ± 0.8 years of formal dance training and adults reported 20.6 ± 13.5 years. Dancers generated higher peak forces and accelerations with dance practice steps and full dance routines as high as with countermovement jump and much higher than with walking. Peak forces and accelerations (normalized to body weight) for the dominant foot were higher in children for all movements. Children were stronger in all motions when normalized to body weight. CONCLUSION: Data indicated dance practice and full dance routines produced high peak forces and accelerations comparable to countermovement jumps. Younger dancers produced higher normalized forces than adults. - Dominant Foot Non-dominant Foot Walking Jumping Dance Practice Full Dance Walking Jumping Dance Practice Full Dance Peak Vertical Force (NBW) Overall 1.4 ± 0.4 3.0 ± 1.1 2.0 ± 0.5 2.3 ± 0.9 1.3 ± 0.3 2.6 ± 1.1 2.0 ± 0.6 2.0 ± 0.5 Adults 1.2 ± 0.1 2.1 ± 0.4 1.8 ± 0.5 2.2 ± 1.3 1.1 ± 0.1 1.8 ± 0.4 1.7 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.3 Children 1.7 ± 0.5 3.9 ± 0.8 2.3 ± 0.4 2.4 ± 0.2 1.6 ± 0.3 3.4 ± 1.1 2.4 ± 0.6 2.4 ± 0.3 Peak Acceleration (g) Overall 10.2 ± 3.8 31.9 ± 10.1 34.0 ± 7.9 33.4 ± 8.6 8.8 ± 3.6 29.7 ± 15.3 34.6 ± 8.3 33.2 ± 10.5 Adults 7.4 ± 2.8 23.5 ± 5.7 36.9 ± 9.8 31.2 ± 11.4 6.2 ± 1.2 20.0 ± 5.0 36.3 ± 6.3 27.9 ± 7.4 Children 13.0 ± 2.2 40.3 ± 5.6 31.2 ± 3.7 35.6 ± 2.7 11.4 ± 3.3 39.5 ± 15.9 32.8 ± 9.6 38.5 ± 10.5 Elon Faculty and Research Development Funds