Affiliations: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Croatia
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Durdica Miletic, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Teslina 6, Split - 21000, Croatia. Tel.: +385 21 302 440; Fax: +385 21 302 399; E-mail:mileticd@kifst.hr
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in dance sport
dancers is often a cause for longer discontinuation of training, which
affects the competition results. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research project was to determine the
age-specific pain experience among male dance sport competitors by defining
the proportions of pain status of fourteen body regions. METHODS: The subject sample of 200 male dancers from 44 different
countries and with international competitive experience was divided into
three subsamples according to age. Three online questionnaires translated
into eight world languages were used for data collection: (1) basic
data questionnaire, (2) self-estimated functional inability because
of pain questionnaire designed for dancers, and (3) health care-related
questionnaire. RESULTS: After examining the 14 topological regions, it was
established that dancers most often report pain in the lower back region
(53.5%), followed by knee (43%) and toe regions (40.5%).
Significant differences were found using the Chi-square test between the
groups of dancers of different ages in the prevalence of pain in the lower
back (χ 2 = 12.6), shoulders (χ 2 = 9.7), and hip region
(χ 2 = 7), with the highest, age-related progressive differences
in the lower back region (36.2-54.9-63.4%) so older dancers had more
pain. Often reported reasons for discontinuation of training increased with
age are overuse syndrome/tendinitis (6.4-15.9-22.5%) and strain
(14.9-29.3-31%). Most common causes for longer discontinuation of
training are absence of partner (37%), injuries (24%), and overuse
syndrome (10%). CONCLUSION: Lower back pain is propounding health problem in male
dancers and increases with age that cannot be resolved by decreasing
training intensity. This research reveals that only 28% of male dancers
will seek medical help because of occurrence of musculoskeletal pain.
Multidisciplinary approach with the aim of long-term health protection and
prolongation of dancing careers is required in future studies.
Keywords: Health care, pain prevalence, pain topology
