Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the association between joint range
of motion (ROM) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in young female dancers. The
study population included 1 359 female dancers, aged 8–20 years. All dancers were
clinically examined for current PFPS, and their joint ROM was measured at the lumbar
spine and the lower extremities. 321 of the 1 359 dancers (23.6%) experienced PFPS.
Prevalence of the syndrome increased with the dancer’s age (p<0.001). Dancers with
hypo ROM in hip external rotation, ankle plantar-flexion, ankle/foot pointe, hip abduction,
hip extension, and limited hamstrings and lumbar spine were significantly less prone
to developing PFPS compared to dancers with average ROM: 19.2% vs. 26.2% (p=0.014);
13.7% vs. 26.1% (p<0.001); 12.2% vs. 26.2% (p<0.001); 10.0% vs. 25.3% (p<0.001); 12.6%
vs. 24.2% (p<0.001); and 9.3% vs. 28.2% (p<0.001), respectively. The group with the
smallest prevalence of PFPS (10.2%) manifested restricted ROM at both the hip and
ankle/foot joints. Dancers with decreased hip and ankle/foot joints ROM are less prone
to develop PFPS. When making an association between joint ROM and injuries, not only
the ROM at the targeted joint should be considered, but also the ROM at neighboring
joints.
Key words
injuries - dance - knee joint - joint range of motion - patellofemoral pain syndrome
