Adolescence is a time of transition, both emotionally and physically. This means that as children’s bodies begin to change, they may be met with challenges—some of which they may not be able to withstand quite yet. As such, their bones, muscles, and tendons are at risk when they participate in any type of physical activity, including dance. Kids should be aware of common dance injuries to the foot and other areas, especially if they plan on pursuing dance competitively. Adolescents are extremely susceptible to dance injuries; in fact, children ages 14 to 16 are nearly two times more likely to experience an injury compared to dancers who are nine to 13 years of age. To learn more about common dance injuries and how to prevent dance injuries in children, keep on reading.
What Causes Dance Injuries in Kids?
Many instances of common dance injuries in the knee and other ligaments and joints can be attributed to the growth spurt that adolescents encounter, anywhere from the ages of 11 to 16. During any growth spurt, the bones grow first and are followed by the soft tissue that surrounds it, including the muscles and tendons. This can cause a temporary imbalance for dancers, as well as a decrease in flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance. While these are only temporary changes, they can impair a student’s technique, and result in lasting injuries or damage to their muscles. Adolescent can suffer from early muscle fatigue from dancing during a growth spurt, which increases their chances of tendinitis or even stress fractures. This can be stressful for students since they’re usually unaware as to why they can’t perform like they used to, causing them to push themselves even harder, further increasing their chance of injury.
How to Prevent Children’s Dance Injuries
There are simple preventative measures that students can take to avoid common dance injuries to the hip and other parts of the body. By modifying activities and routines in-class, kids can keep practicing dance throughout their adolescence without risking their health and safety. By reducing the number of jumps and other strenuous moves, instructors can ensure that preteens stay safe while they perform. It’s also important for instructors to let students know what’s going on with their body, and why they can’t seem to perform as well as they used to—by them knowing this is a temporary situation, they’re less likely to overexert themselves to reach the same level they were at before.
Choosing a Qualified Dance Studio Will Help Prevent Injuries
When signing your child up for dance classes in Toronto, you want to choose a studio that’s properly equipped and has qualified instructors. When you choose Performing Dance Arts as the dance academy for your child, you can rest assured they’ll be in capable hands and receive the best dance education possible. Our instructors are trained experts in dance for young children, and will take the necessary precautions to make sure that students don’t incur unnecessary injuries. While it’s impossible to avoid all casualties, it’s a good idea to choose an established studio that’ll train your child properly, regardless. Contact us today to learn more about our studio, or to sign your child up today.
