The classical dance is an art that makes the body work intensely. Dancers are often subject to injuries specific injuries associated with this discipline, such as sprains, for example. However, there are various preventive measures you can take to avoid injury in ballet.
As a result of repetitive and intense movements, dancers can be prone to a variety of symptoms. foot injuries. These include fatigue fracture which generally affects the front of the foot (metatarsal bone). This is often due to the pressure exerted by the body on the foot when ballet dancing on pointe. Fractures can also occur in the toes as a result of impacts, falls or sudden movements.
One of the most common injuries suffered by dancers is the sprain or thesprain to the ankle. This injury can have a variety of causes, from poor movement to an unsuccessful landing after a jump.
Watch out for Achilles tendonitis which, as its name suggests, occurs on the tendon. This injury occurs as a result of excessive tension on the back of the ankle, leading to inflammation.
Leg injuries include fibrillar tears which can occur in the calf or at the back of the thigh. These tears are generally caused by repeated exertion or the sudden contraction of a muscle.
Watch out for your knees! This part of the body is particularly prone to tears in the cartilage (meniscus) and to tendonitis of the patella. These injuries are caused by an accumulation of abrupt movements or twisting of the knee.
As we saw earlier, the most common injuries to dancers are to the lower body. However, injuries to the upper body can also occur, such as sciaticafor example. This can occur as a result of overloading during lifts or poor technique during jumps.
The vertebrae can also suffer injuries. They can, for example, break or crack (spondylolysis) as a result of stress or strain.
The hip is one of the parts of the upper body that can also be injured. It may be a snap of the hip or a domestic conflict due to repetitive movements.
The anatomical factors are different from one dancer to another and may have their own particular characteristics. Certain characteristics such as morphology, laxity or strength can have an impact on the risk of injury.
Certain body deformities can also increase the risk of injury. This is the case for flat or hollow feet, but also for thehallux valgus. The latter is very common in dancers who started dancing at a very young age, preventing the foot muscles from developing.
It is necessary to take into account environmental limits in which you dance. For example, a slippery ground or inappropriate use can lead to a risk of injury. In addition, it is important to take fitted slippers so that they support the foot properly without constricting you. Finally, the psychological factors play an important role in the causes of injury. In fact, mental overexertion due to intensive repetition can increase the risk of injury.
Injuries can occur as a result of incorrect dance technique or a poor posture. This can put intense pressure on certain parts of the body. In fact, intensive and repetitive training can lead to muscle fatigue. Finally, one of the causes of injury is lack of warm-up or an unsuitable warm-up before practising.
Warming up is a very important step before dancing. It prepares the body for physical exertion and reduces the risk of injury. That's why it's important to choose your warm-up exercises. This could involve stretching exercises, sheathing or a short jog.
The stretchingStretching helps to improve the body's flexibility by lengthening the muscles. Whether you do it before or after your dance session, stretching helps to reduce aches and injuries.
Correct technique and posture are essential to avoid injury. In fact, a appropriate technique will enable you to perform your movements safely and effectively. As for posture, this requires the body to be correctly aligned with a straight back.
It is important to work on these two aspects regularly and to follow the instructions of a teacher. He or she will be able to give you personalised advice on the right techniques and the right posture.
Recovery and rest are very important to avoid injury. Recovery allows your body to recover from heavy exertion. Rest, on the other hand, allows your body to rest and prepare for your next performance. In both cases, it's important to give your body time to regenerate.
The injuries in ballet are unfortunately common, but they can be avoided by taking preventive measures. It is essential to understand ballet injuries and their potential causes so that you can take the best possible care of yourself. By taking care of your body, you can continue to practise your art with passion, without getting injured.