title: Effect of a physical conditioning versus health promotion intervention in dancers: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Although dancing requires extensive physical exertion, dancers do not often train their physical fitness outside dance classes. Reduced aerobic capacity, lower muscle strength and altered motor control have been suggested as contributing factors for musculoskeletal injuries in dancers. This randomized controlled trial examined whether an intervention program improves aerobic capacity and explosive strength and reduces musculoskeletal injuries in dancers. Forty-four dancers were randomly allocated to a 4-month conditioning (i.e. endurance, strength and motor control training) or health promotion program (educational sessions). Outcome assessment was conducted by blinded assessors. When accounting for differences at baseline, no significant differences were observed between the groups following the intervention, except for the subscale "Pain" of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire (p = 0.03). Injury incidence rate and the proportion of injured dancers were identical in both groups, but dancers following the conditioning program had significant less low back injuries (p = 0.02). Supplementing regular dance training with a 4-month conditioning program does not lead to a significant increase in aerobic capacity or explosive strength in pre-professional dancers compared to a health promotion program without conditioning training, but leads to less reported pain. Further research should explore how additional training may be organized, taking into account the demanding dance schedule of pre-professional dancers. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01440153.
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Antwerp, Belgium; Pain in Motion International Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Department of Human Physiology, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: nathalie.roussel@uantwerpen.be.
authors.forename: Nathalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Roussel
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vissers
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Antwerp, Belgium; Pain in Motion International Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Department of Human Physiology, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuppens
authors.affiliation: StatUa, Centre for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truijen
authors.affiliation: Pain in Motion International Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Department of Human Physiology, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nijs
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Backer
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003615:Dancing / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dance; Exercise; Motor control; Pain