Spinal Alignment Evaluation of the Pull-up Posture of Classical Ballet

Abstract

[Purpose] For the evaluation of the pull-up posture of classical ballet, X-ray photo images were used to try to verify spinal alignment change. [Subjects] Nine healthy adult females who had different ballet experience. [Methods] The spinal column X-rays were taken in the normal standing posture (NP), and the required ballet posture (BP). The evaluation of the spinal alignment was made by measuring the sacral inclination angle (SIA) and the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA). The angle made by the perpendicular line drawn toward the horizontal line of the top of the first lumbar vertebra (pull-up angle: PUA) was measured. The change in angle of SIA, LLA, and PUA were measured when the subjects moved from NP to BP. [Results] There was a difference between the subjects who adopted the proper pull-up posture and those who did not. [Conclusion] The pull-up posture depends on ballet experience, and our results suggest it is possible to evaluate the pull-up posture by measuring SIA, LLA, and PUA.