Assessment of Compensated Turnout Characteristics and their Relationship to Injuries in University Level Modern Dancers.

Dancers may compensate alignment at the spine, hip, knees, ankles, and feet to achieve a greater turnout than is available at the hip alone. Such compensations are believed to lead to many of the musculoskeletal injuries experienced by dancers, especially overuse injuries. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between compensated turnout and injury of the lower extremities and low back. Twenty-two university level modern dancers age 19 to 23 participated. Measurements were taken of active hip external rotation (AHER) prone and functional turnout (FTO) in first position. The difference between FTO and AHER was designated as compensated turnout (CTO). A questionnaire was conducted to gather information about dancers' injuries within the past 2 years. A total of 17 participants (77%) reported experiencing at least one injury in the 24 month period. All dancers compensated turnout. Results revealed a large variability in CTO among participants, ranging from 3° to 72°. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship (r = 0.45, N = 22, p = 0.04) between CTO and the number of injuries experienced, especially as related to low back pain (r = 0.50, N = 22, p = 0.02). Students with no injury had a CTO mean of 26°, while those with two or more injuries had a CTO mean of 43°. Results contribute to previous studies that have examined the effects of CTO in ballet dancers and further indicate that compensatory patterns of turnout may increase the risk of experiencing more than one injury in university level modern dancers.

Do you get value for money when you buy an expensive pair of running shoes?

OBJECTIVE: This investigation aims to determine if more expensive running shoes provide better cushioning of plantar pressure and are more comfortable than low-cost alternatives from the same brand. METHODS: Three pairs of running shoes were purchased from three different manufacturers at three different price ranges: low (40-45 pounds), medium (60-65 pounds) and high (70-75 pounds). Plantar pressure was recorded with the Pedar in-shoe pressure measurement system. Comfort was assessed with a 100 mm visual analogue scale. A follow-on study was conducted to ascertain if shoe cushioning and comfort were comparable to walking while running on a treadmill. Forty-three and 9 male subjects participated in the main and follow-on studies, respectively. The main outcome measure was the evaluation of plantar pressure and comfort. RESULTS: Plantar pressure measurements were recorded from under the heel, across the forefoot and under the great toe. Differences in plantar pressure were recorded between models and between brands in relation to cost. Shoe performance was comparable between walking and running trials on a treadmill. No significant difference was observed between shoes and test occasions in terms of comfort. CONCLUSIONS: Low- and medium-cost running shoes in each of the three brands tested provided the same (if not better) cushioning of plantar pressure as high-cost running shoes. Cushioning was comparable when walking and running on a treadmill. Comfort is a subjective sensation based on individual preferences and was not related to either the distribution of plantar pressure or cost.

A comparison of standard vs. breakaway bases: an analysis of a preventative intervention for softball and baseball foot and ankle injuries.

More than 40 million individuals participate in organized baseball and softball leagues in the United States every year. Unfortunately, it has also been estimated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that softball and baseball are the two main sports leading to emergency-room visits in the United States. A previous field study has determined that the utilization of breakaway bases has the potential of preventing 96% of sliding injuries, thereby preventing 1.7 million injuries a year in the United States with a savings of $2 billion a year in health care costs. It is the purpose of this study to analyze and compare the potential attenuating capabilities of various types of bases. We found the force at the ankle upon impact when compared to the standard base revealed all breakaway bases reduced the force of impact to a statistically significant level. The force at the foot upon impact when compared to the standard base revealed all breakaway bases reduced the force at variable levels, with the Rogers bases having the only statistically significant reduction. However, the force delivered to the tibia/fibula was increased with the Stay Down and Mag-Net large bases as compared to the standard stationary base. The moments of inversion/eversion and dorsiflexion/plantar flexion upon impact, when compared to the standard base, revealed all safety bases were reduced to a statistically significant level. We conclude breakaway bases reduce the force of impact and moments to a statistically significant level and confirm previous field studies. Though there is a difference among the breakaway bases themselves, they should be used on all fields.