# Step type is associated with loading and ankle motion in tap dance

## TL;DR

This study examines how different tap dance steps affect forces and ankle motion, finding that some steps create higher impact and could increase injury risk.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific tap steps with the highest forces and ankle motion, offering new insights into injury risk in tap dance.

## Key findings

- Cramp roll and toe cannon steps produced the highest peak vertical forces, angles, and velocities.
- Flap and heel cannon steps had lower forces and motion compared to cramp roll and toe cannon.
- Dancer experience did not significantly affect the forces or motion produced.

## Abstract

Tap dance generates forces and joint motions that can lead to injury; however, little is known about the magnitude of load across different tap steps. The purpose of this study was to calculate peak vertical forces, average vertical foot velocities, and maximum/minimum ankle angles produced by tap dancers with different levels of experience performing the toe cannon, heel cannon, flap, and cramp roll. This prospective cross-sectional study included 14 female tap dancers aged ≥18 years with varying tap experience. Participants were recorded by three cameras while performing a choreographed tap combination containing four steps of interest on a force platform. Adjusting for experience and dancer-level clustering, we identified the steps—cramp roll and toe cannon—that had the highest peak vertical ground reaction force, angles, and velocities compared to flap and heel cannon. There was no effect of experience. The results supported our hypothesis and provide new insights into step production. Over time, the larger forces associated with these steps could pose an increased risk of injury to bones and joints when compared to smaller forces, which may suggest the importance of adjusting routines to reduce or avoid injury.