News
04-28-08
Jerry Carey
856-566-6171
careyge@umdnj.edu
Dancing with the Stars May Be Dangerous, UMDNJ Physician Warns
STRATFORD—With millions of weekly viewers, the reality show “Dancing with the Stars” has inspired more than a few fans to kick up their heels for an impromptu tango across the kitchen floor. Therein lies the danger, warns a UMDNJ physician.
“Ballroom dancing is really an athletic endeavor that should be approached as you would any other sport,” said Dr. Joe Daniel, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ)—School of Osteopathic Medicine. “It’s great exercise, but if you haven’t been active, you need to make sure you’ve prepared for the physical demands you’ll face. Professionals can make ballroom dancing seem easy, but even they are prone to frequent, and sometimes serious, injuries.”
Dr. Daniel, who has treated both professional athletes and professional dancers in his practice, sees many similarities between the types of foot, ankle and lower leg injuries the professionals sustain and those incurred by “weekend warriors” who suddenly leap into sports or dancing. “Professional dancers have the strength, dexterity, training and body control to help protect them from injury,” Dr. Daniel said. “But, for the person just starting out—who hasn’t had the proper conditioning or who isn’t used to wearing a certain type of shoe—a single misstep can cause a sprain, tear or fracture. At the same time, trying to do too much too soon, without proper rest and recovery, can lead to overuse injuries that can put you back on the sidelines.”
Dr. Daniel cautions those who will be emulating their favorite “Dancing” stars to approach it as if they were copying a professional athlete’s moves, and to keep their own goals in perspective. “Realistically assess your limitations,” he said. “Be an observer first, to see how the more advanced dancers approach this activity. Then, start slowly and work with a coach or trainer to help you avoid injuries. Finally, remember why you took up dancing in the first place. Your goal is to have fun while improving your health. Once you reach that goal, you can think about taking your new skills to a more competitive level.”
To request an interview with Dr. Daniel, please contact Jerry Carey, UMDNJ News Service, at (856) 566 6171 or (973) 972 5000.
The UMDNJ—School of Osteopathic Medicine is dedicated to providing excellence in medical education, research and health care for New Jersey and the nation. An emphasis on primary health care and community health services reflects the school’s osteopathic philosophy, with centers of excellence that demonstrate its commitment to developing clinically skillful, compassionate and culturally competent physicians from diverse backgrounds, who are prepared to become leaders in their communities.
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is the nation's largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,500 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and its only school of public health, on five campuses. Last year, there were more than two million patient visits to UMDNJ facilities and faculty at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a mental health and addiction services network.
