Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine Restrictions on Training and Injury in Ballet Dancers

Main Article Content

Jacquelyn Valenzuela-Moss, BS Selina Shah, MD Dana Sheng, MD Tracy Zaslow, MD Tishya A. L. Wren, PhD Bianca Edison, MD

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically interrupted worldwide athletics, as closures and limited access to sports facilities forced athletes to adapt to new and often challenging conditions. Many lost access to essential training spaces like gyms, tracks, and fields, which disrupted their routines. For ballet dancers, who rely heavily on studio space, mirrors, and specialized flooring, the restrictions were especially difficult.


Aims: This study examined pandemic effects on dance and training participation for California youth dancers, training environments during shutdown, and incidence of injury prior to, during the pandemic, and after returning to studios.


Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 17 dancers (all female, median age 13.7 years), comparing data surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (before March 2020, during quarantine from March 2020 to January 2021, and when studios reopened for classes). Questions assessed rates of dance instruction, ability to replicate studio environments, injury, and self-rated readiness. Descriptive results are presented along with comparison of activities before and during the pandemic.


Results: Prior to COVID-19, dancers trained a median of 6 hours/wk. Dance training decreased significantly to 3 hours/wk at home during quarantine (p=0.01). 76% (13/17) of dancers reported COVID-19 interrupted training; 54% (7/13) reported 1-10 weeks of interruption, and 46% (6/13) reported a longer interruption. During quarantine, most (94%, 16/17) reported taking home virtual dance classes. Nearly half (8/17, 47%) of dancers had access to some equipment needed to adequately train, while 12% (2/17) felt they did not have proper access. Dance training floor surfaces varied (47% on hardwood floors at home, 24% on carpet). No participants trained on any version of sprung flooring while at home. Many dancers used chairs (65%) or a barre (53%) to train. Upon returning to studios, 4 injuries occurred (no active injuries right before/during quarantine), 100% involving the lower extremity and 75% affecting the foot.


Conclusions: COVID-19 proved challenging to dancers, limiting the ability to train at the level they had prior to imposed public health restrictions. Alternative options were utilized to continue dancing, including using hardwood floors and furniture at home. These alternatives could have increased risk, resulting in lower extremity injuries.

Article Details

How to Cite
VALENZUELA-MOSS, Jacquelyn et al. Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine Restrictions on Training and Injury in Ballet Dancers. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 1, jan. 2025. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6218>. Date accessed: 10 feb. 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i1.6218.
Section
Research Articles

References

1. McGuine T, Biese K, Hetzel S, et al. The Impact of COVID-19 Related School Closures and SPORT CANCELLATIONS on the Health of Adolescent Athletes. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;9(7_suppl3):2325967121S00170. doi:10.1177/2325967121s00170
2. Teare G, Taks M. Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth sport and physical activity participation trends. Sustainability. 2021;13(4):1744.
3. Pierce D, Stas J, Feller K, Knox W. COVID-19: Return to youth sports: Preparing sports venues and events for the return of youth sports. 2020;
4. Drummond M, Elliott S, Drummond C, Prichard I. Youth sport and COVID-19: a potential generation lost. Emerald Open Research. 2023;1(2)
5. Gingrasso S. Practical Resources for Dance Instructors! Choreographing Our Way Through COVID-19. Dance Education in Practice. 01 Sep 2020 2020;6(3)doi:10.1080/237348233.2020.1791565
6. Alvurdu S, Baykal C, Akyildiz Z, et al. Impact of Prolonged Absence of Organized Training on Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, and Aerobic Capacity: A Study in Youth Male Soccer Players Exposed to COVID-19 Lockdown. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(3):1148.
7. Ünlü G. The Effects of COVID-19 İnduced Mobility Restrictions on Physical Fitness in Young Soccer Players at Different Maturity and Training Status. 2022;
8. Jukic I, Milanović L, Svilar L, et al. SPORT PREPARATION SYSTEM IN TEAM SPORTS: SYNERGY OF EVIDENCE, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. 2018.
9. Dayton JD, Ford K, Carroll SJ, Flynn PA, Kourtidou S, Holzer RJ. The Deconditioning Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Unaffected Healthy Children. Pediatric Cardiology. 2021/03/01 2021;42(3):554-559. doi:10.1007/s00246-020-02513-w
10. Kong H, Feng J, McClellan C, et al. Pediatric orthopedic injury prevention for team sports post COVID-19. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2022;11(3):2249-4863 (Print). doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1632_21
11. Joo CH. The effects of short-term detraining on exercise performance in soccer players. J Exerc Rehabil. 2016 February 23 2016;12(1):54-59. doi:10.12965/jer.160280
12. Rodríguez-Fernández A, Sánchez-Sánchez J, Ramirez-Campillo R, Rodríguez-Marroyo JA, Villa Vicente JG, Nakamura FY. Effects of short-term in-season break detraining on repeated-sprint ability and intermittent endurance according to initial performance of soccer player. PLOS ONE. 2018 August 15 2018;13(8):e0201111. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201111
13. CDC. Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Updated July 26, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/guidelines.htm
14. Quintana-Cepedal M, Rodríguez MÁ, Crespo I, et al. Injury Characteristics among Young Adults during and Immediately after the COVID-19 Lockdown. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(15):8982.
15. Font R, Irurtia A, Gutierrez J, Salas S, Vila E, Carmona G. The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on jumping performance and aerobic capacity in elite handball players. Biology of sport. 2021 October 22 2021;38(4):753-759. doi:10.5114/biolsport.2021.109952
16. Zago M, Lovecchio N, Galli M. Players at home: Physical activity and quality of life in 12–17 years-old football (soccer) players during the Covid-19 lockdown. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 2022;17(3):626-636. doi:10.1177/17479541211041703
17. Chiampas GT, Ibiebele AL. A sports practitioner’s perspective on the return to play during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and next steps. Sports Medicine. 2021;51(Suppl 1):89-96.
18. Yanguas X, Dominguez D, Ferrer E, Florit D, Mourtabib Y, Rodas G. Returning to Sport during the Covid-19 pandemic: The sports physicians’ role. Apunts Sports Medicine. 2020;55(206):49.
19. Mohr M, Nassis G, Brito J, et al. Return to elite football after the COVID-19 lockdown. Managing Sport and Leisure. 27, 172–180. 2020.
20. Sarto F, Impellizzeri F, Spörri J, et al. Impact of potential physiological changes due to COVID-19 home confinement on athlete health protection in elite sports: a call for awareness in sports programming. Sports medicine. 2020;50:1417-1419.
21. Kalinowski P, Myszkowski J, Marynowicz J. Effect of online training during the COVID-19 quarantine on the aerobic capacity of youth soccer players. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(12):6195.
22. Batalha N, Sousa JP, Fernandes O, Dias E, Parraca JA, Villafaina S. Effects of an 11-Week Detraining, Imposed by the COVID-19 Confinement, on Handball Players’ Shoulder Rotator Isokinetic Profile, Shoulder Range of Motion, and Ball Release Velocity. Medicina. 2023;59(9):1548.
23. Dorsch TE, Blazo JA, Arthur-Banning SG, et al. National trends in youth sport during the COVID-19 pandemic: Understanding American parents' perceptions and perspectives. Journal of Sport Behavior. 2021;44(3):303-320.
24. Fleming DJ, Dorsch TE, Serang S, et al. The association of families’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics with parents’ perceived barriers to returning to youth sport following the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2023;65:102348.
25. Ng K, Cooper J, McHale F, Clifford J, Woods C. Barriers and facilitators to changes in adolescent physical activity during COVID-19. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine. 2020;6(1):e000919.