Relationship between the change in navicular drop and perception of pain in dancers

Includes bibliographical references (pages [26]-28, [38]-39)Lower extremity injuries account for 65-80 percent of all dance (ballet, modem, and jazz) injuries. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between lower extremity pain perception in dancers who pronate and those who do not. Secondly, this study will examine the relationship of lower extremity pain perception in beginner/ intermediate and advanced dancers. Sixty female dancers, ages 18-25 years, involved in theater dance classes at a university with a specialized dance program participated in the study. Participants were divided into a beginning/ intermediate or advanced group according to an evaluation performed by the dance instructors. Thirty participants per group were asked to complete a Likert pain perception survey and have navicular drop measurements taken of both feet. The navicular drop test consisted of using a rulermeasuring device to measure the difference in navicular drop from a non-weightbearing to a weight-bearing position. The overall results showed that there was a small to moderate correlation between navicular drop and lower extremity pain perception (r = ?31,p < .05). When divided by group, the results indicated that there was a moderate positive relationship between navicular drop and pain perception for the advanced group (r = .54, p < .05), but no relationship for the beginner/ intermediate group (r = .01, p < .05). There was a strong phi correlation, suggesting that if someone pronated on one leg than they were more likely to pronate on the other leg. This study supports the research that an increase in navicular drop also has an affect on lower extremity pain.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education