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Dance Technique incorporating safe dance practice
Performing sequences relative to anatomical structure
Causes and prevention of injury
Causes of injury
Classification of the major causes
of injury
Direct injury
Indirect injury
Overuse injury
Secondary injury
Activity
Dance injuries can be grouped according to:
Direct injury
Direct force injuries occur when an external force is applied to the body to cause injury at the point of impact. An example of a direct force injury is the dancer who collides with an object such as another dancer, props or fixture and receives a blow to a body part. Direct force injuries are an example of an acute injury.
Indirect injury
Indirect injuries occur in two ways:
- When the injury occurs at a distance from the point of impact of the force. An example of this is a dancer who falls on an outstretched hand and fractures the collarbone, which is a distance from the point of impact.
- When there is an intrinsic force without an external force. An example of this is the abnormal muscle contraction which fractures the patella 9knee-cap) after a minor twisting fall. Indirect force injuries are an example of acute injuries.
Overuse injury
Overuse injuries often happen when the dancer maintains an intense period of exercise for long periods. Overuse or stress injuries commonly occur in the musculo-tendinous structures. Repetitive low intensity activity can cause small tears where the tendon joins the muscle. Repeated inflammation leads to recurrent pain. Shin splints is an example of tendonitis of the tibialis anterior muscles tendon in the lower leg.
Overuse injuries can occur in bones leading to stress fracture. Stress fractures can occur at any site where repetitive muscular action causes excessive stress to a bone. Overuse injuries are an example of a chronic injury.
Secondary injury
Secondary injuries are minor injuries
that are not well treated and where the cause is not eliminated. This may lead
to more serious injury at that site. An example of this is a dancer who
repeatedly strains the ligaments of the knee or ankle. If they continue to
participate without firstly treating the injury or without protective strapping,
there is a risk of a complete tear of the muscle or ligament. Secondary injuries
are an example of a chronic injury.
Activity
What is the difference between an acute and chronic injury?
How can overuse injuries occur in dance?
During an exercise a student hits their arm on the wall. What type of injury is this?
A performer falls heavily on landing from a jump-turn and dislocates the knee. What type of injury is this example of?
How can dancing with a sprained ankle cause further damage to the surrounding muscles?
How do hard tissue and soft tissue injuries differ?
What type of injury is a stress fracture?
Describe the two most common symptoms of a stress fracture.
Explain what ligaments are and how ligament injuries occur.
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