IADMS New York 2002   [back to the Category]

Adolescent Hip Pain: An Intervention Strategy   [read the french version]

Author :   Kim Pedrick, BSc & Al.

Adolescent Hip Pain: An Intervention Strategy

Kim Pedrick, BSc, MCSP, SRP; Leah Holdroyd, MCSP, SRP, MMACP
The Arts Educational School
Tring, Hertfordshire, England


Hip injuries in professional dancers are generally uncommon (Stone 2001) however recent research (Pedrick, Rist 2001) has suggested that the incidence is higher amongst girls during the adolescent years.

This study was designed to assess a simple intervention strategy and its effectiveness in enhancing stability of the hip during the growth spurt years.

78 students, ranging in age from 12-16, were questioned regarding the incidence of hip pain and whether this had limited their dancing. The students were then randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group 1 underwent intervention therapy consisting of four simple exercises performed daily before their first class. Group 2 acted as the control group


A repeat questionnaire was collected six months post therapy and the results analyzed to determine the effect of our intervention.

The results of these simple measures are discussed and the implications for injury prevention highlighted.