Gluteal muscle size and quality in professional ballet dancers compared to non-dancing athletes

Background: Professional ballet dancers load their hips in extreme ranges of motion and commonly report hip pain. Evaluating gluteal muscle size quality may help guide exercise programs. Objectives this study were to compare (fatty infiltration) compared athletes; investigate the relationship between quality, reports hip-related Methods: In case-control study, professional (current retired, n=49, mean age 35 years, range 19-63) sex-matched non-dancing athletes n=49) underwent magnetic resonance imaging both hips. Athletes played tennis, basketball or netball. Muscle cross-sectional areas (CSA) obtained at standardised landmarks for gluteus maximus (GMax) medius (GMed). Full volume was calculated minimus (GMin). Fatty infiltration rated all muscles (including anterior posterior segments GMed GMin) using Goutallier classification system. groups linear mixed models. a model binary logistic regression. Hip-related pain (subjective yes/no time data collection), participation status, limb side sex included as covariates. Results: Ballet had significantly larger GMax (upper p<0.01, middle lower p=0.01) (level inferior iliac spine greater sciatic foramen p<0.01) CSA GMin (p<0.01), when normalised weight (Kg). There no difference fatty ratings athletes. subjective Retired reporting more likely have (p=0.04) than those without Discussion/Conclusion: Gluteal are might specifically be due externally rotated position unique ballet. Dancers comparable quality. related but not size. Impact/Application field:•Professional area, with (in kilograms).•Professional Conflict interest: None declared.