Australian Ballet?s approach to injury prevention and management

McAllister, David Dip Dance, Grad Dip Arts Ent, The Australian Ballet, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Mayes, Susan, BAppSc, GDipSportsPT, The Australian Ballet, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 

Ballet is a physically and emotionally demanding art form.  The dancers of ### also endure the added pressure of a hectic national and international touring schedule. ### has adopted a proactive, inter-disciplinary approach to injury prevention and management to help ensure the artists experience a long and healthy career.  This presentation will provide insight into these strategies.

### has found success with a cohesive team of specialists who provide on-site services to the dancers. Following consultation at many levels, the medical team have introduced a variety of injury prevention and management policies to ensure that potential risk factors are identified and addressed.  The key to injury prevention is the early identification of the predisposing factors to injury, minor musculo-skeletal dysfunction or dancers at risk. The dancers undergo a rigorous screening process upon entry into and exit from the company. They are also offered the opportunity to work with rehabilitation specialists to target weaknesses in technique. An injury prevention strategy is primarily based on exercise prescription. Adherence to these programs has been facilitated by ensuring access to equipment both on-site and when touring.  

The medical team holds regular education sessions for the dancers regarding injury prevention strategies.  They also have weekly meetings with the artistic team and biannual meetings with the specialist consultants and administration of the company. Injury data is collected on a weekly basis. Analysis of these statistics guides the formation of injury prevention strategies.  

The presenter was a professional dancer for over eighteen years, a Principal Artist for over twelve years and is now the Artistic Director of a major ballet company.  During this time he has witnessed the evolution of dance medicine.