Correlation between degree of hallux valgus and kinematics in classical ballet: A pilot study

PLoS One. 2020 Apr 6;15(4):e0231015. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231015. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Hallux valgus is a serious medical concern for classical ballet dancers. Although it is well-known that progression of hallux valgus is related to inappropriate movement techniques in classical ballet, the kinematic relationship between the degree of hallux valgus and ballet techniques has not been substantiated. To develop proper training methods that prevent progression of hallux valgus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the degree of hallux valgus and movement techniques in classical ballet. Seventeen female classical ballet dancers at the advanced college-level participated in this study. Kinematic analysis of standing and plié in the first position was conducted via video capture technique. The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was performed to examine the degree of hallux valgus and the following three kinematic variables: (1) the extent to which turnout is forced by other joints in the lower extremity than the hip joint, (2) the direction difference between the knee and toe in the transverse plane, and (3) the pelvis obliquity angle. Among these kinematic variables, we found a significant correlation between the hallux valgus angle and the pelvis obliquity angle during plié (P = .045). The greater the hallux valgus angle, the greater the retroversion of the pelvis, a result which was contrary to our prediction. We present the first evidence that the degree of hallux valgus correlates with kinematics in a very basic technique of classical ballet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
  • Dancing* / physiology
  • Female
  • Hallux Valgus / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Pelvis / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Video Recording
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MOVO protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.4n6d682

Grants and funding

Fee for English editing service was supported by financial aid from Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences, Waseda University (https://www.waseda.jp/fhum/archs/en/) to AM as a member of the Research Project C, ‘A basic and applied study of movements based on Bernstein’s idea of coordination’ (PI: Nobuhiro Furuyama). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.