Normative Data for Preseason Screening Assessments in Female University Contemporary Dancers.

Abstract

Abstract: Kiss, JL, Critchley, ML, and Kenny, SJ. Normative data for preseason screening assessments in female university contemporary dancers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Injury incidence rates in elite-level dance are high. Normative values from preseason screening can inform training to target areas for improvement and minimize future injury risk. The purpose of this study was to establish mean/median values, proportions, and percentiles for hip and ankle joint range of motion, dynamic balance, and isometric hip strength in female preprofessional contemporary dancers. One hundred sixty-six dancers (mean age: 18.9 ± 1.83 years) participated in preseason screening at the beginning of 6 academic years (2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021-2023). Measures included: ankle and hip range of motion [dorsiflexion (degrees), plantarflexion (degrees), and total active standing turnout (TAT) (degrees)], dynamic balance [unipedal dynamic balance (UDB) (in seconds) and Y-balance test (YBT) (cm)], and hip abduction strength (HAS) (N, N/kg body weight). Mean dorsiflexion was 46.5° (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.5-47.5), mean plantarflexion was 86.9° (95% CI: 85.7-88.1), and mean TAT was 105° (95% CI: 102.7-108.5). Median UDB was 4.9 seconds (IQR: 3.8-7.11). Mean YBT anterior reach was 56.0 cm (95% CI: 55.2-56.9), and mean YBT composite score was 87.0 cm (95% CI: 86.0-88.1). Mean absolute HAS was 265.9 N (95% CI: 253.4-278.4), and mean normalized HAS was 4.5 N·kg-1 body weight (95% CI: 4.3-4.7). Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon sum rank tests were used to examine side-to-side differences (α = 0.05). Percentile analysis for screening assessments was conducted. There were no side-to-side differences between dominant and nondominant legs. Female university dancers' preseason screening scores can be compared with normative data from the present study to identify areas for improvement to tailor supplementary training. Future prospective research is recommended to establish associations of these measures with dance-related injury risk.