RESUMO
Background: Adolescent dancers are at high risk for injuries due to the physical demands of dance training and the physiological changes that occur during adolescence. Though studies report high injury rates, there are few standardized screening tools available for adolescent dancers. Hypothesis/Purpose: To develop and describe a standardized, feasible, evidence-based, and clinically relevant screen for adolescent dancers. Study Design: Descriptive Epidemiology Study. Methods: Dancers at two suburban pre-professional dance studios, in two cohorts, participated in the Columbia Adolescent Dancer Screen (CADS) that includes dance injury history, health questionnaires (EAT-26, SF-36, DFOS), aerobic capacity, range of motion, strength, balance/orthopedic special tests, and dance technique. Participants were asked to complete a weekly injury surveillance questionnaire derived from the Dance-Specific Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems for 14 weeks following the screening. Feasibility was assessed using process and content analysis in four areas: practicality, demand, implementation, and adaptation. Results: Descriptive data were collected from 32 female dancers aged 11-17 with cohort one averaging 18.57 dance hours per week and cohort two averaging 10.6 dance hours per week. The screen was practical, able to screen seven to eight dancers per hour utilizing nine assessors and requiring a one-hour commitment from dancers. Cost and space requirements were considered and kept to a minimum while utilizing portable equipment. All screening slots were filled with all dancers agreeing to follow-up injury surveillance, indicating high demand. The screen was implemented with two cohorts with revisions to improve efficiency applied for the second cohort. Conclusion: The CADS is a feasible screening tool for adolescent dancers that overcomes barriers by being pragmatic, evidence-based, and efficient. Screening can be implemented to obtain baseline values, inform wellness recommendations, and establish relationships with medical professionals. Level of Evidence: Level 3b.
RESUMO
Handheld dynamometry (HHD) using external fixation has demonstrated high inter- and intra-rater reliability. Handheld dynamometry offers an objective way to quantify strength; however, setting up external stabilization devices for HHD can be time consuming. This study examined the reliability of HHD for lower extremity strength in dancers using body weight stabilization. Twenty-six pre-professional dancers (age: 20.64 ± 2.21 years) were recruited and assessed by three testers: an experienced physical therapist (ePT), a novice physical therapist (nPT), and a student physical therapist (SPT). To avoid testing fatigue, dancers were divided into two testing groups and were evaluated on separate weekends. Testers used HHD to test isometric force production of six muscle groups in the first cohort and seven dif- ferent muscle groups in the second cohort. Testing positions were standardized and utilized a "make" test protocol. Intra- class correlation coefficients (ICC), 95% confidence interval, and standard error of measurement were calculated for each position. Inter-rater reliability was > 0.75 for all ICC measures except knee extension and ankle eversion. Intra-rater reliability was > 0.75 for all ICC measures except the ePT (tester A) day 2 for hip extension, internal rotation seated, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion; nPT (tester B) day 1 knee flexion; and SPT (tester C) for day 1 knee extension and ankle eversion and days 1 and 2 for ankle dorsiflexion and inversion. It is concluded that HHD can reliably measure force production of hip, knee, and ankle muscle groups without use of external fixation devices.
