# The Most Common Affected Body Regions in Breakdancers: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study in Italy

## TL;DR

Breakdancing in Italy is associated with high injury rates, particularly in knees, shoulders, and wrists, with amateurs being more vulnerable.

## Contribution

This study identifies specific injury patterns and risk factors in breakdancers, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies.

## Key findings

- 94.84% of breakdancers reported injuries, with knees, shoulders, and wrists being the most affected.
- Amateurs had higher acute trauma risk compared to professionals.
- Intensive powermoves correlate with shoulder injuries, while generic warm-ups and equipment are ineffective.

## Abstract

Background: This study aims to characterize the musculoskeletal injury landscape among Italian adolescent and adult breakdancers, specifically evaluating the correlation between technical execution and various risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on a cohort of 97 practitioners (68 professionals and 29 amateurs). Data were retrieved using the “Breakdance Injury Questionnaire” (BIQ), a specialized 28-item tool covering training volume, clinical history, and technical specialization. Results: The data reveal a striking injury burden, with an overall prevalence rate of 94.84%. The most frequent sites of injury were the knee (63.9%), shoulder (60.8%), and wrist (57.7%). A significant statistical disparity in injury risk was observed between professionals and amateurs (p = 0.037), with amateurs exhibiting a higher vulnerability to acute trauma. Of clinical note is the significant correlation between intensive powermoves practice and shoulder pathology (p = 0.029). Conversely, generic preventive measures, including standard warm-ups (p = 0.168) and protective equipment (p = 0.164), showed no significant efficacy in reducing trauma incidence. Conclusions: Breakdancing is a high-demand discipline with a traumatic profile comparable to elite gymnastics. The functional inversion of the upper limbs predisposes athletes to specific overuse syndromes. Future prevention strategies must focus on specific conditioning protocols and qualified coaching rather than generic warm-up routines.