Possibilities of Physiotherapy for Irish Dancers

This bachelor thesis explores the possibilities of physiotherapy for Irish dancers. Irish dance is a folkloric dance originating from Ireland. It has developed into a competitive sport where there is a strong emphasis on technical dance execution and posture (Wallace, 2020). The dance is performed on tiptoe in shoes with minimal support. Typically, there is rapid alternation of the lower limbs and high lunges with impact on the extended lower limb in plantar flexion. Starting dance positions with the right lower limb extended in front of the body and the weight on the left lower limb place high demands on the dancers' musculoskeletal system, putting them at risk of injury (Buck, 2012). The first aim of this research was to describe musculoskeletal difficulties of Irish dancers. The second aim was to design compensatory exercises based on the described difficulties and the third aim was to evaluate the results of the applied compensatory exercises on the musculoskeletal system of Irish dancers. The theoretical part summarizes the history of Irish dance, Irish dance music, types of dance and dance shoes. The specifics of Irish dance, the most common injuries of Irish dancers, and the ideal structure of dance training are described. Methods that can be used in therapy are also mentioned. The practical part took the form of qualitative research with 3 probands, non-professional Irish dancers. The results are presented in the form of case studies, where an initial kinesiological examination was performed on all probands and therapy was proposed, which took the form of 8 individual therapies and home self-therapy for 3 months. Subsequently, an exit kinesiological examination was performed and the results of the research were evaluated by comparison with the entry kinesiological examination. It was found that the most problematic parts of the Irish dancers were weakened hip stabilizers, insufficient trunk stabilization, insufficient activation of the foot muscles and weakened lower scapular fixators. The thesis can be used as an informative and educational material for dancers and trainers of Irish dance, or for the public interested in this issue