title: Morphological characteristics of the young scoliotic dancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The literature lacks important data about the relationship between scoliosis and growth process, scoliosis and intensive exercise, scoliosis and morphological characteristics, and scoliosis and injuries, among young dancers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which dance experience, body structure, anatomical anomalies and injuries are associated with scoliosis, and to identify variables able to discriminate between scoliotic and non-scoliotic female dancers at time of screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand two hundred and eighty-eight non-professional female dancers, aged 8-16 years, were screened for the current study. We determined their morphometrical profile (height, weight, BMI), dance discipline (as hours of practice per week), manifestation of anatomical anomalies, and existing injuries. All dancers were clinically examined for presence of scoliosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and seven of the 1288 dancers (23.8%) were diagnosed as having scoliosis. Dance experience and body structure were similar for dancers with or without scoliosis. Scoliotic dancers presented a significantly higher prevalence of anatomical anomalies (such as genu varum, and hallux valgus). Back injuries were more common among scoliotic dancers compared to non-scoliotic dancers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening and identifying the young scoliotic dancers prior to their advancing to higher levels of exercise is recommended. The scoliotic dancers should realize that there might be a connection between the presence of scoliosis and increased incidence of anatomical anomalies and back pain, hence, it should be suggested they seek help with an adequate assessment and exercise rehabilitation program.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. Electronic address: knopp@wincol.ac.il.
authors.forename: Nili
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
authors.forename: Smadar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peleg
authors.forename: Gali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dar
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masharawi
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeev
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Siev-Ner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003615:Dancing / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Anatomical anomalies; Dancers; Injuries; Scoliosis