Aim: Epidemiological study of the incidence of mechanical low back pain (LBP) in non-professional female Greek classic ballet dancers over a year and therapeutic interventions required to address symptoms.
Materials and methods: Forty-six female classic ballet dancers members of preprofessional schools, aged 16-37 years (mean 28.8 ±5.44 yrs) practicing and training in classic dance for 6-40 hours/week (mean 10.8±6.68) and 2-27 years experience (mean 11.9±4.20 yrs) participated in an epidemiological study concerning the incidence of LBP episodes within the last year, the treatment they received, as well as the period of absence of training and performance due to LBP. A selfadministered questionnaire was employed. Information regarding incidence, duration, and intensity of mechanical low back pain was gathered as well as length of time away from practice or performance. A secondary aim was to investigate the type of conservative treatment that participants in this study received.
Results: Thirty-one (67.4%) participants in the study experienced 1-10 (mean 3.26±1.7) episodes of mechanical LBP in the previous 12 months. They had to refrain from dancing activities from 2 to 90 days (mean 16.9±16.22). Twenty one of the participants received some kind of conservative treatment.
Conclusion: The incidence of LBP was found to be high among Greek amateur classic ballet dancers resulting in absence from dancing activities for a considerable length of time and raising the need for therapeutic intervention for a considerable percentage of the studied population. Effective prevention strategies of LBP are of vital importance, particularly in younger dancers.
Keywords: ballet; dance; epidemiology; low back pain.