Assessment of Intrinsic Risk Factors for Ankle Injuries in Ballet Dancers

NCT07199985 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 25-10T/15
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate intrinsic risk factors (muscle strength, joint range of motion, static and dynamic balance) that may lead to ankle injuries in ballet dancers and to examine the relationship between these factors and ankle injuries experienced in the last 12 months. By comparing ballet dancers who have suffered injuries requiring physical therapy or forcing them to take a break from dancing for more than one week in the past year with uninjured ballet dancers and a control group, the findings aim to contribute scientifically to the development of individualized rehabilitation programs and the safe and effective planning of return-to-stage processes. Furthermore, it is believed that these data may support the reduction of time and financial losses among dancers.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Ballet dancers; ankle injuries; isokinetic strength; intrinsic risk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Ankle muscle strength

  Isokinetic peak torque of the ankle muscles will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (Isomed 2000). Plantar flexion / dorsiflexion (PF/DF): measured at 30°/s and 120°/s angular velocities, in both concentric and eccentric modes. Inversion / eversion (INV/EV): measured at 60°/s and 90°/s angular velocities, in both concentric and eccentric modes. Units: Newton-meters (Nm).

  baseline(single assessment session; Day 1)

• Dynamic Balance Ability

  Dynamic balance: Y-Balance Test (Lower Quarter). Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions will be normalized to leg length. A composite score will be calculated. Units: Reach distances (ANT, PM, PL): centimeters (cm) Composite score: percent of leg length (%) Directional asymmetries: centimeters (cm)

  baseline(single assessment session; Day 1)

• Range of Motion (ROM) of the Ankle and First Metatarsophalangeal (1st MTP) Joint

  Active joint range of motion will be measured with a universal goniometer. Ankle: dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, eversion. 1st MTP joint: dorsiflexion, flexion Units: Degrees (°).

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

• Static Balance Ability

  Static balance: Center of pressure (CoP) trace length, sway area, and mean CoP velocity will be recorded during 30-second quiet stance (feet hip-width apart) using a pedobarography system. Units: Millimeters (mm), square millimeters (mm²), millimeters per second (mm/s).

  baseline(single assessment session; Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Strength Ratios

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

• Side-to-Side Strength Asymmetry

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

• Y-Balance Test Asymmetry

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

Other Outcomes (2)

• True Limb Length

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline (single assessment session; Day 1)

Study Arms (3)

Ballet dancers without ankle injury

Ankle muscle isokinetic strength, joint range of motion, and dynamic and static balance will be measured in ballet dancers who have not taken a break from dancing in the last 12 months.

Ballet dancers with ankle injury

The isokinetic strength of the ankle muscles, joint range of motion, and dynamic and static balance of ballet dancers who have taken at least a week off from dancing due to an ankle injury within the last 12 months will be measured.

Control

The ankle isokinetic muscle strength, joint range of motion, dynamic and static balance of healthy male and female volunteers over the age of 18 without ankle injuries will be measured.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Ballet dancers will be ballet dancers aged 18 and over who live in Izmir and have been dancing professionally for at least 3 years. The control group will consist of participants aged 18 and over who are healthy and have no ankle injuries. Participants will be invited to participate in the study on a voluntary basis.

You may qualify if:

• For the Dancer Group:
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a professional or academic-level dancer who has been practicing classical ballet regularly (at least 3 days a week) for the past 3 years
• Reside in the province of Izmir
• Agree to participate voluntarily and have signed an informed consent form
• For the Control Group:
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have no prior dance experience
• Not have participated in sports that place specific stress on the ankle area (such as ballet, artistic gymnastics, martial arts, soccer, etc.), even if engaging in regular physical activity
• Reside in the province of İzmir
• Agree to participate voluntarily and have signed an informed consent form

You may not qualify if:

• Having undergone surgery on the lower extremities within the last 6 months
• Having a history of diagnosed chronic disease related to the nervous system, vestibular system, or musculoskeletal system (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
• Having a physical disability that prevents completion of isokinetic or balance tests
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine,

Izmir, Bornova, 35100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (31)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Ankle Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Mehmet E ENGİN, Resident

  Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Seçkin Şenışık, assistant professor

  Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident at department of sports medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 19, 2025
• First Posted: September 30, 2025
• Study Start: September 22, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)