Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Fatigue Among Amateur Hip-Hop Dancers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hip hop dance is one of the most physically demanding dance forms causing high incidence of pain and fatigue among amateur hip hop dancers. The pain and fatigue in turn causes them to adopt improper movement techniques and can lead to injuries which is one of the main factors that leads to short lived dance careers. Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and fatigue among amateur hip hop dancers. Method: A cross sectional survey study was used. A purposive sample method composed of 103 amateur hip hop dancers between the ages of 10 to 30 years in and around Kerala. The outcome measures used were Modified Nordic Questionnaire for assessing musculoskeletal pain and Fatigue Assessment Scale for assessing the fatigue. Result: 70 people (67.9%) experienced musculoskeletal pain during the last 3 and 6 months. 34 (33%) people experienced low back pain, 25 people experienced neck pain (24.2%), 22 (21.3%) people have had pain in their wrist/hands, 18 people (17.4%) have had pain in their shoulder and ankle/feet, knee pain was felt by 17 (16.5) people. Using the fatigue assessment scale it was found out that 68 (66%) experienced moderate fatigue and 3(3%) experienced severe fatigue. Conclusion: From this study we concluded that there is a significant prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and fatigue among amateur hip hop dancers that interferes with their dance participation and makes their careers short lived. Keywords: Hip-hop dancers, Musculoskeletal pain, Fatigue, Modified Nordic Questionnaire, Fatigue Assessment Scale