Second year LECOM scholar, Elise Beltram, recently contributed meaningful scholarship to the field of dance medicine through the presentation of her research poster entitled, Biomechanical Risk Factors of Hip and Knee Injuries in Dancers, at the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Region 4 Conference, held on January 17 in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ms. Beltram’s research examines the biomechanical determinants that predispose dancers to hip and knee injuries, with particular attention to alignment and technical execution. Her findings emphasize that poor postural alignment and improper technique represent significant risk factors for injury, especially among adolescent and less experienced dancers. These insights highlight a critical need for early intervention, targeted education, and evidence-based training practices aimed at injury prevention within this vulnerable population.
The study further explores the physiological demands of ballet, a discipline characterized by selective muscle loading and repetitive movement patterns. Such demands frequently result in muscular imbalances, a well-documented phenomenon among ballet dancers. However, Ms. Beltram’s work suggests that while these imbalances are prevalent, a direct and definitive association with hip pain remains inconclusive. This nuanced finding underscores the complexity of musculoskeletal injury mechanisms in dance and points to important opportunities for future research.
Conducted under the mentorship of David Boesler, D.O., Associate Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice at LECOM–Bradenton, this research reflects a thoughtful integration of biomechanical science and osteopathic principles. Ms. Beltram’s presentation not only contributes to the growing body of literature on dance-related injuries but also reinforces the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to performance health, injury prevention, and clinical education.
Her work exemplifies the caliber of scholarly inquiry emerging from osteopathic medical education and highlights the vital role of research in advancing patient-centered care for specialized populations such as dancers.