Clinical application of interactive monitoring of indicators of health in professional dancers

Keay, N.; Lanfear, M.; Francis, G.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of interactive monitoring of professional dancer health with a variety of subjective and objective monitoring methods and delivering swift personalised clinical advice. Methods Dancers from a ballet company completed a published, online dance-specific health questionnaire. Over the study period, dancers recorded wellbeing and training metrics, with menstrual cycle tracking and capillary blood testing for the recognised indicators of low energy availability. At regular, virtual clinical discussions with each dancer, findings were discussed and personalised advice given. Results Twenty dancers participated in the study (mean age 26.2 years, SD 3.7), comprising 14 females (mean age 25.5 years, SD 3.7) and 6 males (mean age 27.7 years, SD 2.4). Ten of the female and all the male dancers recorded positive scores on the dance health questionnaire, suggesting a low risk of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). Two female dancers were taking hormonal contraception. Apart from one, all female dancers not on hormonal contraception reported current eumenorrhoeic status. Blood testing confirmed the low risk of insufficient energy availability across the group, apart from female dancers with negative questionnaire scores. The initiative of monitoring menstrual cycles and on demand virtual clinical support was well received by dancers, healthcare and artistic staff. Conclusions Multimodal monitoring facilitated delivery of prompt personalised clinical medical feedback specific for dance. This interactive strategy permitted the early identification and swift management of emergent clinical issues. Dancers highly rated the new monitoring modalities and opportunity to discuss health and well-being, in confidence, with a doctor conversant in dance.