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Background and Objectives: Hypermobility has been linked to decreased knee performance, including isokinetic and isometric knee strength. This study aimed to determine whether athletes with and without knee hyperextension have different hamstring-to-quadriceps strength (H/Q) ratios and to investigate the associations between knee hyperextension indices and H/Q ratios and anthropometric characteristics. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 47 healthy male athletes without knee injuries aged 23.48 ± 3.54 years. The variables included the degree of knee hypermobility, isokinetic parameters of the leg musculature, and anthropometric indices. Differences between athletes with and without hyperextension were calculated using an independent sample t-test, effect sizes, and discriminant analysis, while associations between the variables were checked by Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: Athletes with hyperextended knees had shorter legs (t value = −2.23, p = 0.03, moderate ES) and shins (t = −2.64, p = 0.01, moderate ES) and a lower H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s (t = −2.11, p = 0.04, moderate ES) than those in the nonhyperextended group did; these differences were supported by discriminant analysis (Wilks' L = 0.60, p = 0.01). An increase in the H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s was associated with the degree of knee hypermobility (R = −0.29, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This research showed that athletes with knee hypermobility have weaker hamstring strength and thus a lower H/Q strength ratio at lower angular velocities. These findings suggest that targeted strength training programs for leg (i.e., hamstrings) muscles should help individuals with knee hypermobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The risk of low energy availability is related to various health problems in sports. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify a possible association between various dance factors, anthropometrics/body build, and energy availability with injury occurrence in contemporary dancers. Materials and Methods: The participants were 50 female competitive dancers (19.8 ± 4.1 years of age). The independent variables included age, dance factors (amount of training and competitions per week–exposure time, experience in dance), anthropometrics/body composition (body height, mass, BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and fat-free mass (FFM)), and energy availability score (EAS; evaluated by accelerometer-based measurement of energy expenditure and Dance Energy Availability Questionnaires). The dependent variables were the occurrence of (i) soft-tissue injuries and (ii) bone injuries. The measurements were obtained by experienced technicians during the pre-competition period for each specific dance discipline. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were calculated to identify the associations between independent variables and injury prevalence. Results: The results showed that EAS (OR = 0.81, 95% CI:0.65–0.91), age (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.1–2.46), higher BF% (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04–1.46) and BMI (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.05–2.47) were correlated with soft-tissue injuries. Dancers who suffered from bone injuries reported higher exposure time (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.37) and had lower values of FFM (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.98). Multivariate regression analyses evidenced a higher likelihood of soft-tissue injuries in older dancers (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.21–2.95) and the ones who had lower EAS (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.95) while the exposure time was associated with a higher likelihood of bone injuries (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.39). Conclusions: In order to decrease the injury prevalence among dancers, special attention should be paid to maintaining adequate nutrition that will provide optimal available energy for the demands of training and performing. Additionally, the control of training volume should be considered in order to reduce traumatic bone injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive effects of dance on health indices in youth are widely recognized, but participation in dance is accompanied with a certain risk of injury. This prospective study aimed to investigate injury occurrence and to evaluate the possible influences of specific predictors on the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems and injuries in adolescent dancers. Participants were 126 dancers (21 males; 11–18 years), who were competitors in the urban dance, rock and roll, and standard/Latin dance genres. Predictors included sociodemographic factors, anthropometric/body build indices, sport (dance) factors, and dynamic balance. The outcome variable was injury status, and this was evaluated by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC). Predictors were evaluated at baseline, and outcomes were continuously monitored during the study period of 3 months. During the study course, 53% of dancers reported the occurrence of a musculoskeletal problem/injury, and dancers suffered from an average of 0.72 injuries over the study period (95% CI: 0.28–1.41), giving a yearly injury rate of 280%. Gender and dance styles were not significantly related to the occurrence of injury. Higher risk for injury was evidenced in older and more experienced dancers. Dynamic balance, as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), was a significant protective factor of injury occurrence, irrespective of age/experience in dance. Knowing the simplicity and applicability of the SEBT, continuous monitoring of dynamic balance in adolescent dancers is encouraged. In order to prevent the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems/injuries in youth dancers, we suggest the incorporation of specific interventions aimed at improving dynamic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]