An Injury Prevention Program for Professional Ballet: A Randomized Controlled Investigation

BACKGROUND: Few investigations have examined dance-specific injury prevention programs (IPPs), and no published randomized controlled trials are available that evaluate IPPs for dance. HYPOTHESIS: The implementation of an IPP will significantly reduce the risk of injury in professional ballet dancers. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was designed that entailed a superiority model for the intervention group. All professional dancers from a single ballet company were eligible to participate. Randomization and allocation were performed before the start of the season. The control group practiced and performed without change to preexisting standard operating practice. The IPP group was instructed to perform a 30-minute exercise program 3 times per week over the 52-week study period. Injuries were recorded. Standard continuous and categorical data comparisons and correlations were used. Cox proportional hazards regression models for recurrent failures were used wherein the hazard ratio indicates the relative likelihood of injury in the control versus intervention groups. RESULTS: = .028) than for controls. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first prospective randomized controlled investigation of an IPP for professional ballet. The results showed an 82% decrease in injury rate for the intervention group and an extended period from previous injury to subsequent injury. REGISTRATION: NCT04110002 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).