physioscience 2025; 21(S 03): S38
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812442
Abstracts
Poster/Posters

Effect of ballet on kinematics in children with coxa antetorta: a pre-post intervention study

Authors

  • E Hamer

    1   Rehab Basel – Klinik für Neurorehabilitation und Paraplegiologie, Basel, Switzerland

  • E Hamer

    2   REHAB, Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and Paraplegiology, Physiotherapy, Basel, Switzerland

  • C Maguire

    2   REHAB, Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and Paraplegiology, Physiotherapy, Basel, Switzerland

  • M Widmer

    3   Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel UKBB, Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Basel, Switzerland;

  • E Viehweger

    4   Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Department of Paediatric Neuroorthopaedics, Laboratory for Movement Analysis, Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel UKBB, Basel, Switzerland;

  • M Odorizzi

    5   Department of Paediatric Neuroorthopaedics, Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel UKBB, Basel, Switzerland;
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Introduction Increased femoral anteversion (IFA) is rarely considered in healthy children and adolescents as it usually normalizes spontaneously. However, IFA can lead to several gait deviations, including in-toeing and increased knee flexion during midstance-phase (MSt). The available evidence indicates that IFA during childhood increases the risk of patella malalignment, femoropatellar complaints, and hip/knee osteoarthritis in adulthood. Therefore, IFA is not merely a cosmetic issue. Thus far, the impact of targeted training has not been investigated. What are the effects of a six-week ballet training on kinematics in children with idiopathic coxa antetorta (ICA)? Is the integration of a ballet training program into the everyday life of schoolchildren feasible?

Methods A pre(T1) / post(T2), intervention study without control was conducted, in which children with ICA participated in 1-h group ballet classes twice a week for six weeks. Additionally, the participants were provided with a diary containing instructions for home ballet exercises. A two-dimensional gait analysis was conducted on a C-Mill treadmill by Motek to measure knee flexion during MSt. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated by analyzing six feasibility outcomes.

Results 5 healthy children (80% males; 9.6±1.5 years old) with femoral neck anteversion 30°<FNA<40° were included. There was a trend towards reducing excessive knee flexion during MSt (median value 17.7° (15.7-18.9°) at T1 and 13.8° (12.4-17.2°) at T2; p=0.06). 45,5% of eligible and contactable children were enrolled. The retention rate at each point was 100%. 96.7% of the ballet training sessions and 64.7% of the home exercises sessions were completed. There were no adverse events, and all diaries were returned after the intervention.

Discussion This pioneer study indicates that ballet training may be a useful intervention to reduce excessive knee flexion during MSt in children with ICA. The integration of ballet training program into the children&apos;s everyday lives, is feasible and safe with some modifications. Further studies including randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and three-dimensional gait analysis are required to gain understanding of the influence of ballet training on the reduction of IFA and compensatory gait mechanisms in children with ICA.



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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
23. Oktober 2025

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