An exploration of pre-professional dancers' beliefs of the low back and dance-specific low back movements

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Medical Problems of Performing Artists

ISSN

0885-1158

Volume

34

Issue

3

First Page

147

Last Page

153

PubMed ID

31482173

Publisher

Science & Medicine

School

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

RAS ID

29684

Funders

Curtin University

Comments

Hendry, D., Straker, L., Campbell, A., Hopper, L., Tunks, R., & O'Sullivan, P. (2019). An exploration of pre-professional dancers' beliefs of the low back and dance-specific low back movements. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 34(3), 147-153. Available here

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Low back pain (LBP) is common in dancers. A biopsychosocial model should be considered in the aetiology of LBP, including a dancer's general beliefs of the low back and movements of the spine. This study aimed to determine pre-professional dancers' beliefs about their lower back in general and dance-specific movements of the spine and to explore whether these beliefs were influenced by a history of disabling LBP.

METHODS: 52 pre-professional female dancers (mean age 18.3 [1.4] yrs) were recruited and reported whether they had a history of disabling LBP and completed the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ) and a dance movement beliefs questionnaire. A linear mixed model was applied to determine the effect of a history of disabling LBP on dancers' beliefs (p<0.05).

RESULTS: 20 dancers reported a history of disabling LBP. Regardless of this LBP history, dancers held generally negative beliefs as measured by the Back-PAQ (p=0.130). A history of disabling LBP did not influence dancers' perceived movement safety of all tasks (p=0.867), and dancers held negative beliefs towards extension activities. These beliefs were linked to the conceptions of perceived risk of damage and the need to protect the lower back.

CONCLUSIONS: Dancers hold negative general beliefs around the low back and low back movements, regardless of a history of disabling LBP. Dancers perceive extension activities as more dangerous than flexion activities. These beliefs may reflect a combination of pain experience and beliefs specific to dance.

DOI

10.21091/mppa.2019.3025

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