Relationship Between Hip External Rotation and Turnout Angle for the 5 Classical Ballet Positions

Russ Gilbert, Michael T. Gross, Kimberly B. Klug

Functional turnout for each of the 5 classical ballet positions involves lower extremity motion that occurs primarily through hip external rotation. Ballet dancers often attempt to increase turnout angle through excessive motions at the foot or knee that may be associated with the development of musculoskeletal pathology. The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of turnout by identifying the relationship between available hip external rotation and functional turnout for the 5 classical ballet positions. Subjects were 20 female ballet dancers between the ages of 11 and 14. The investigators measured hip external rotation as the sum of passive external rotation available at both hips of each subject. Functional turnout angle was measured for each subject as the subject stood in each of the 5 classical ballet positions. A repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test indicated that hip external rotation was significantly less than functional turnout for the 5 classical ballet positions. No significant differences in functional turnout angle were present among the 5 ballet positions. Regression analyses demonstrated weak relationships between hip external rotation and functional turnout angle for each of the 5 ballet positions. Hip external rotation should not be used to predict functional turnout for the 5 classical ballet positions. Turnout in first position may be useful as a guide for functional turnout for the crossed foot positions: third, fourth, and fifth.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;27(5):339-347.

Key Words: ballet, injury prevention, turnout

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