Ergonomics in Dance

Ergonomics in Dance

Written by Erika Mayall, Registered Physiotherapist

Injury rates in dancers are high. One study found that 86% of dancers sustained one or more injuries during the study period, with 59% of all injuries being time-loss injuries. These numbers are consistent with other similar studies. The majority of injuries in dance, up to 75% of all injuries, are repetitive overuse injuries. One of the main etiologic factors leading to overuse injuries is the alteration of the biomechanical conditions of the exercise, often referred to as technique. Technique is the basis of all fundamental movements of dance, from holding your body or posture correctly, to executing skills and steps in a proper fashion. Insufficient or inadequate technique has been linked to the occurrence of overuse injuries.

This article was written for 2020 Fall Safety Scene Magazine.