Flexibility in Dance

Abstract

Dance, and in particular ballet, is characterized by beautiful body shapes and lines, much of which are due to flexibility. Without adequate flexibility, dancers are unlikely to raise themselves to professional standards. However, with such importance placed on this fitness-related parameter, there is a surprising lack of published data on dancers that examines flexibility in relation to injury risk and muscular performance. The following review summarizes the main findings from the dance, sports, and medical literature.