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NCT Number: NCT07379801

The Musculoskeletal System During Puberty in Dancers With Scoliosis, and the Effect of an Exercise Program

assessment of the musculoskeletal system will be performed twice a year, for three years of young dancers

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Key information

Conditions

Development, Adolescent

Age range

11 year–16 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Haifa University, Department of PHysical Therapy

Haifa, Israel

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Gali Dar, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

972-50-5662054

About this study

Objectives: To examine musculoskeletal system characteristics in female dancers with and without scoliosis throughout the pubertal period, and to evaluate the effect of a targeted preventive exercise program.

Methods: Up to 140 female dancers aged 11-16 will be recruited for a two-phase study:

Phase A: a two-year longitudinal study with four assessment time points. . At each time point, participants will complete a comprehensive assessment including: anthropometric measurements (height and weight), sexual maturation status (Tanner scale), scoliosis assessment (Adam's forward bend test, scoliometer measurements, Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire), bone strength (quantitative ultrasound using a Speed of Sound [SOS] device), abdominal and back muscle morphology (ultrasound imaging), hip muscle strength (handheld dynamometry), hip range of motion (goniometry), dynamic balance (Y Balance Test), and flexibility (Beighton score). In addition, participants will complete a demographic questionnaire and an injury surveillance questionnaire.

Phase B : an intervention study in which dancers with scoliosis will be randomly assigned to either a three-month targeted exercise program or a control group continuing regular training. Outcomes will be assessed post-intervention and at one-year follow-up.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female dancers aged 11-16 years who dance at least three times per week and whose parents have provided informed consent.
  • Dancers who have participated in at least three weekly hours of classical ballet during the year preceding the study and during the study year.
  • A minimum of two years of experience in classical ballet training.
  • Dancers without underlying medical conditions, not taking medications, and with no history of orthopedic surgery.
  • dancers diagnosed during the study with mild to moderate scoliosis who are not under medical follow-up requiring active orthopedic or surgical treatment.

Exclusion criteria

  • Dancers who are taking medications, are not in good health, have underlying medical conditions, or have undergone any orthopedic surgery.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise

Other

exercise for strengthening core muscles

Primary outcomes

  1. ultrasound for muscle thickness

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    ultrasound assessment of back and abdominal muscles in rest and contraction - thickness in mm

  2. muscle strength test

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    hand held dynamometer assessment hip muscles

  3. range of motion

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    goniometer assessment for lower extremities joints

  4. bone strength

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    tibia bone strength assessment using Sunlight MiniOmni Ultrasound Bone Sonometer

  5. maturation status

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    Tanner scale 0-5 scale. higher score represent greater maturation status

  6. scoliosis

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    Adam's tests and scoliometer

  7. flexibility

    Time frame: baseline, twice a year for 2 years

    Beighton score. 0-9 scale when higher score represent hyper flexibility

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Gali Dar, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

972505662054

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Haifa

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jan 30, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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