The yo-yo schedule for rehabilitation of injured dancers 

Rietveld, A.B.M.(Boni) M.D., B.A.(mus.), Medical Centre for Dancers & Musicians, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract:

Since two decades the author has used and modified a specific simple rehabilitation schedule for injured dancers helping them to get back dancing after knee or ankle injury and/or operation.. 

During rehabilitation & reconditioning emphasis should be given to restoring sequentially: mobility, strength, endurance and coördination / timing. If available, a rehabilitation- or "transition"-class is useful. During the rehabilitation process the principle of graded activity is used. 

Once mobility is restored, the so-called yo-yo schedule can be started, working in a small 2nd position through the foot from demi-plié to relevé or sauté and back. 

In these exercises relevé, balance, sauté and, if applicable, pointe work are restored in logical progressive steps. Besides it is useful for testing progress and monitoring the stage and prognosis of the individual rehabilitation-process

The principles of graded activity, mental practice, floor-barre, core stability, pool-barre, cardio-exercises and flat-foot-barre, as well as the adverse effects of smoking on the healing process, will be addressed. 

At the end in an interactive way some practical tips for injured dancers will be given.