Abstract

The hip is the focal point in ballet. The surrounding muscles provide stability and mobility, enhance balance, and control the position of the lower extremity. 22 dancers of the Alberta Ballet Company (14 women, 8 men) were tested on a Cybex II dynamometer in order to a) determine norms of peak torque of hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and external and internal rotation in dancers; b) establish agonist/antagonist ratios of the hip musculature; and c) compare our findings with existing data in nondancers and other athletes. The hip extensors developed the greatest peak torques, followed in the men by the flexors, adductors, abductors, external rotators, and internal rotators. In women, the order was similar, except the adductors were stronger than the flexors. At 60 deg/s, the flexor torques were 75% and 69% of the extensors in men and women, respectively. Similarly, the abductor values were 80% and 72% of the adductors, and the internal rotators were 89% and 94% the external rotators for the men and women. These agonist/antagonist ratios compared closely with previously reported parameters for cross-country skiers, ice hockey players, and soccer players. The internal rotation/external rotation values differed with some reported torque parameters of nondancers and baseball players whose internal rotation values were higher than those of external rotation. The clinical relevance of our results is that sufficient strength of hip musculature is important for prophylaxis and rehabilitation of lower limb injuries. Verf.-Ref.