Asymmetrical gait in young female dancers of different training styles

Background: the objective of this study is to evaluate gait symmetry in female dancers of different dance styles aged 19–21 years. The findings would enable us to understand the effects of long-term training on dancers’ gait. Material and methods: 21 dancers (8 modern dancers, 6 ballet dancers, and 7 Korean dancers) and 15 normal participants completed three validated walking tests at normal speed on a 5 m × 1 m walking track. Results: The modern dancer group showed a significant difference from the control group in terms of step length symmetry index. The right hip sagittal plane ROM was smaller in both the ballet dancer group and the Korean dancer group than in the control group. There was a significant difference in sagittal plane hip ROM in the Korean dancer group compared with the control group. The hip symmetry index in the horizontal plane was greater in all three groups of dancers than in the control group. Conclusions: Long-term training between different dance styles leads to different gait asymmetry effects in dancers.