Pre-Pointe Assessment and Screening
Pre-pointe screening plays a crucial role in ensuring young dancers are introduced to pointe work in a safe, healthy and sustainable way.
Traditionally, children around 12 years old might begin to consider introducing pointe work. It usually coincides with a dancer having adequate years of dance practice (if they started young), as well as appropriate strength, technique and coordination development. With lower limb growth plate fusion generally occurring in young girls between the ages of 13-17, it is essential that young dancers do not commence pointe work prematurely, without the strength and control required.
Young dancers, particularly those moving to pointe work, have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries due to the demands that dance places on the growing body. Research suggests that the load placed through the feet and ankle during pointe work can be up to 12x body weight.
The main aim of a pre-pointe screening is to minimise the risk of injury by identifying and addressing vulnerable areas prior to commencing en pointe.
What does it involve?
The dance screening is not designed to pass or fail you. Rather, it develops your dancer profile to build an understanding of your body's capabilities and the strengths and weaknesses that could potentially put you at risk of injury. Building this awareness helps you, your teacher and your dance medicine team to tailor solutions to get you en pointe safely.
While age is one factor, we also consider how much time you'll be spending on pointe, the specific demands of your dance practice, and the expectations of your training. In some cases, we'll consult directly with your teacher to ensure our recommendations align with what you're working towards in the studio.
We utilise a combination of evidenced baseline requirements of strength and coordination for the demands of dance, alongside the Australian Dance Council's pre-pointe screening that is recognised by dance schools and colleges across Australia.
Your appointment will involve the following:
Initial screening interview to understand your dance experience and injury history.
Physical testing of strength, alignment, mobility and control through a range of joint movements and tests.
Movement and technique observation of ballet-relevant movements to evaluate your alignment, posture and risk factors.
Feedback and plan. At the end of the assessment, the physio gives you the report to take to your teacher which will make a recommendation whether starting pointe work is appropriate at that time. This includes what you're doing well, what needs improvement, and recommendations for dance modifications.
Dance-specific strength programming. If you've opted for a longer appointment, we'll utilise our findings from your assessment to provide a tailored exercise protocol to help you build strength, balance or control, to address any areas of improvement and work towards pointe work if you've been recommended to hold off. If this is the case, a follow-up is often recommended after some weeks or months to recheck progress and reassess pre-pointe readiness.
Who should have a pre-pointe assessment and when?
At AOK Keep Moving, we recommend having a pre-pointe assessment a couple of months prior to when you're planning to begin pointe. This allows adequate time for us to work with you and to engage a pre-pointe training program if required to address any areas that might need to be improved in order to safely transition to pointe work.
When it comes to dancing, strength, control and support are key to ensuring your journey en pointe is both enjoyable and safe.