title: Postural adjustments in young ballet dancers compared to age matched controls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to use photogrammetry to evaluate the posture of ballet practitioners compared to an age-matched control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eleven 7- to 24-year-old female volunteers were evaluated and were divided into two groups: the ballet practising group (n = 52) and the control group (n = 59), divided into three subgroups according to age and years of ballet experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dancers with 1-3 years experience compared to controls of the same age shows alterations in External Rotation Angle (P < 0.05). Dancers 4-9 years experience show alterations in Lumbar Lordosis, Pelvis Tilt Angle and Navicular Angle Right and Left (P < 0.05). Dancers with over 9 years experience show alterations in External Rotation and Navicular Angle Left (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research shows there are differences between dancers and controls. In the groups 1-3 years and over 9 years of experience, the External Rotation Angle is greater. In the group 4-9 years of experience the Lumbar Lordosis Angle is greater and Pelvis Tilt, Navicular Angle Left and Right are smaller. In more than 9 years of ballet experience, the Navicular Angle Left is smaller.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Course, Federal University of Alfenas, Jovino Fernandes Sales, 2600 Avenue, Bairro Santa Clara, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-000, Brazil. Electronic address: deniseiunes@unifal-mg.edu.br.
authors.forename: Denise H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Iunes
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Course, Federal University of Alfenas, Jovino Fernandes Sales, 2600 Avenue, Bairro Santa Clara, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Iara F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Course, Federal University of Alfenas, Jovino Fernandes Sales, 2600 Avenue, Bairro Santa Clara, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Course, Federal University of Uberlândia, R. Benjamin Constant, 1286 - Bairro Aparecida, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-678, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdeci C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Dionísio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008141:Lordosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010780:Photogrammetry; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ballet; Photogrammetry; Physiotherapy; Posture