We were curious to see if there was a correlation between the skeletal deviations of Hallux Valgus and Pes Planus in the feet of dancers. Once we had determined their status within their deviations, we compared the different genres of dance to see if one was more dominant than the rest in terms of these deviations. We compared advanced level dancers' feet within contemporary, ballet, ballroom and folk dance. We looked at eighty female dancers, more specifically, twenty dancers within each genre.
In addition to studying dancers' feet, we researched Hallux Valgus and Pes Planus, as well as their significance within each genre of dance.
Based on our research, in contemporary dancers, we were expecting to find a large number of Pes Planus and a smaller number of Hallux Valgus because of the large amount of barefoot dancing that occurs. In ballet dancers, we were expecting to find a higher number of Hallux Valgus and lesser number of Pes Planus for the reason of the dancers' use of pointe shoes. Because of the shoes worn in ballroom dance and folk dance, we were hoping to find a larger number of Hallux Valgus and lesser number of Pes Planus.
To learn more about our research and discoveries, click on the tabs above...
