Work-related floors as injury hazards – a nationwide pilot project analyzing floors in theatres and education establishments in Germany

BACKGROUND: An adequate dance floor is said to prevent injuries. On the basis of scientific research, numerous recommendations regarding an adequate dance floor have been developed. Up to the present, however, studies have still been lacking into how far these recommendations have already been implemented in theatres with regular dance productions and/or in-house dance ensembles. The aim of this study is to analyze a nationwide survey on dance floors of theatres and education establishments in Germany. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey on existence and type of floors in the various dance-related working areas was carried out at theatres and education establishments institutions (n = 86 institutions (n = 76 theatres, n = 10 education establishments). References as to region, size of dance ensembles and dance styles performed were created. RESULTS: Of all education establishments, 75.3% were equipped with a sprung sub-floor in the ballet studios. In contrast, sprung sub-floors were only found in 29.7% of the working areas, the stage AND ballet studios in theatres. The percentage of theatres providing sprung sub-floors in all rooms used by dancers is even lower. Considering all dance-related work areas, larger ensembles (>30 dancers) were offered better conditions regarding floors than smaller ensembles (p > 0.001). No significant tendencies were found regarding regions or dance styles. CONCLUSION: Recommendations concerning an appropriate dance floor have only partly been realized. Besides secured finances for reinstallation, further education of responsible officials and artists is essential. However, accrediting dance as own genre in theatres is the indispensable prerequisite.