When Are Dancers Ready for Pointe? Science-Backed Insights
How do you know you are ready for pointe shoes?
When a dancer goes en pointe, the ankle experiences forces up to 12-13 times their body weight, significantly elevating the risk of injury. This video explains how proper ankle strength and ballet training are crucial to mitigate ankle pain. Understanding these forces helps every ballet dancer prepare safely for pointe work.
Publications discussed in this episode: Hough-Coles, K., & Wyon, M. (2022). Determining pointe readiness in young adolescent female dancers: a systematic review. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 26(4), 213-225. https://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313X.121522b
