Relationship of turnout to hip abduction in professional ballet dancers

The ability to externally rotate or turn out the hip is fundamental to ballet. Every classical dancer aims to achieve perfect turnout. The purpose of this study was to determine how much turnout is necessary for maximal abduction. It was hypothesized that moderate turnout is sufficient for this purpose. Twenty-two professional dancers from the Alberta Ballet Company were studied. Measurements of passive hip abduction were taken at 0 degree, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees and maximum hip lateral rotation using a goniometer and Leighton flexometer. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficients. A significant positive correlation was found between abduction and lateral rotation (P less than 0.05). The greater the position of external rotation, the more abduction achieved. In conclusion, the traditional emphasis on good turnout has some scientific merit and functional implications.