## Breaking and its Injuries: What are the Most Common Ailments for Dancers?
Breaking, a dynamic and energetic urban dance style rooted in hip-hop culture, has made its debut at the Paris Olympics. But what are the most common injuries associated with this physically demanding discipline?
<img width="900" height="600" class="attachment-newpress-featured-large size-newpress-featured-large wp-post-image lazyload" alt="Breaking, el baile urbano que llega a los Juegos de París: ¿qué lesiones son las más frecuentes?" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" data-attachment-id="351963" data-permalink="https://efesalud.com/breaking-lesiones-juegos-olimpicos-paris-bailarines-deporte/8022113756001miniw/" data-orig-file=" data-orig-size="900,600" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Breaking deporte" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="
Sweden’s Saga Ax train for Breaking B-Girls medal of the Olympic Qualification Series in Budapest. EFE / EPA / Zoltan Balogh
Like any other physical activity, breaking is susceptible to injuries. The knees and spine are commonly affected, according to Dr. Manuela Gonzalez, a sports medicine specialist at the Supreme Sports Council (CSD).
A New Challenge
Gonzalez notes that breaking is a relatively new Olympic discipline, and the lack of established medical data on dancer injuries poses unique challenges. The diverse backgrounds and training methods of the athletes further complicate matters.
“It is a completely new activity in the strict sense of medical sports monitoring. At first, perhaps, the criteria for this screening are more difficult for them, because, after all, they are dancers from cultures that are not related to the field of regulated physical preparation, that have the rest of the established exercise routines,” explained Gonzalez.
Common Injuries
Knee injuries are particularly prevalent due to the high extension and rotation movements inherent in breaking. Bursitis, an external inflammation caused by contact or blows to the knees, is also common.
Other areas prone to injury include the vertebral column, ankles, wrists, and shoulders.
Nutritional Considerations
Dr. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet for dancers, highlighting the need for adequate nutrition quality and quantity. He stresses that unlike other sports, breaking dancers do not require specific weight or strength requirements.
“Therefore, in principle, the ideal is a good diet to maintain training,” concluded the doctor.