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A ballet dancer (Italian: ballerina [balleˈriːna]fem., ballerino [balleˈriːno] masc.) is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet; however, dancers have hierarchy and strict gender roles. They rely on years of extensive training and proper technique to become a part of professional companies. Ballet dancers are at a high risk of injury due to the demanding technique of ballet.[1]

Training and Technique

Ballet dancers typically begin training between the ages of three and four (for females) or six and seven (for male dancers) if they desire to perform professionally. Training does not end when ballet dancers are hired by a professional company. They must attend ballet class six days a week to keep themselves fit and aware.

Ballet dancers begin their classes at thebarre, a wooden beam that runs along the walls of the ballet studio. Dancers use the barre to support themselves during exercises. Barre work is designed to warm up the body and stretch muscles to prepare for center work, where they execute exercises without the barre. Center work in the middle of the room starts out with slow movement and gets faster with each exercise. Ballet dancers finish center work practicing leaps and turns across the floor.

After center work, females present exercises on pointe, or on their toes. Males practice jumps and turns. They may practice partner work together.

Injuries

Ballet dancers are susceptible to injury because they are constantly putting strain and stress on their bodies. A ballet dancer’s goal is to make physically demanding choreography appear effortless. Ballet dancers increase their risk of injury if they start training earlier than the age of ten. However, many ballet dancers do start on the average age of 6 to 8 years old.

The upper body of a a ballet dancer is prone to injury because choreography and class exercises requires them to exert energy into contorting their backs and hips. Back bends cause the back to pinch, making the spine vulnerable to injuries such as spasms and pinched nerves. Extending the legs and holding them in the air while turned out causes damage to the hips. Such damage includes strains, fatigue fractures, and bone density loss.

Injuries are common in ballet dancers because ballet consists of putting the body in unnatural positions. Such position is first position, in which the heels are together and the toes pointed outward so that the legs are turned out. First position puts a risk for injury at the knees. Meniscal tears and dislocations are common at the knees because it is easy to let the knees slide forward while turned out in first position.

Ballet dancer’s feet are prone to fractures and other damage. Landing from jumps and working in pointe shoes cause bones to break and ankles to weaken. Tendonitis is common in female ballet dancers because pointe work is strenuous on their ankles. Landing from jumps incorrectly may also lead to shin splints, in which the muscle separates from the bone.

Class time is used to correct any habits that will lead to injury. If the ballet dancer is properly trained, the dancer will decrease their risk of injury. However, injuries are a common occurrence in performances. Most injuries do not show up until later in a ballet dancer’s life, after years of continuous strain.