Common Injuries in Breakdancing

Breakdancing (b-boying/b-girling or breaking in correct terms), is an exhilarating and acrobatic dance style that is captivating audiences worldwide. This popular dance style is attracting even more attention as it has been recently approved as an official Olympic category for Paris Olympics in 2024. With its explosive moves, intricate footwork, and gravity-defying power moves, breaking demands immense physical strength, agility, flexibility, and skill from the dancers. Like any intense physical activity, breaking carries a risk of injury - in fact, the style is almost always improvised in a battle (other than routines), which further predisposes dancers to injuries. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common injuries that b-boys and b-girls encounter and discuss ways to prevent and manage them.

1. Sprains and Strains

In general, sprains and strains of ligaments and muscles are common for athletes - breakers are no exception to this. Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries in breaking. These injuries typically occur when dancers land awkwardly or twist their limbs forcefully (most of us definitely know what this feels like!). In particular ankles, knees, and wrists are vulnerable in breaking.

How to prevent sprains and strains in breaking:

Proper warm-up exercises, stretching routines, and strength training can help prevent sprains and strains. It is also important to gradually increase the intensity and difficulty of moves, allowing the body to adapt and minimise the risk of injury (ie. don't do air-flares if you can't do a hand stand!).

2. B-boy Elbow

Also known as tennis elbow, b-boy elbow is a form of tendinopathy that affects the outer part of the elbow. This injury is caused by repetitive stress on the tendons due to the intense spinning and hand-supported moves in breaking.

How to prevent b-boy elbow in breaking:

To prevent this over-use injury, breakers should maintain proper form and technique, use wrist and forearm strengthening exercises, and give their bodies sufficient rest and recovery time between training.

3. Back Injuries

The acrobatic movements and contortions involved in breaking put strain on the back, making it susceptible to injuries. Dancers may experience muscle strains, herniated discs, or even spinal fractures.

How to prevent back injuries in breaking:

Developing a strong core through exercises like planks and Pilates can help support the back and reduce the risk of injury. It is also crucial to practice proper technique and gradually progress to more advanced moves to avoid excessive stress on the spine (remember - breaking takes time! Rushing the process will make you more susceptible to injuries).

4. Wrist and Hand Injuries:

Breakers heavily rely on their hands and wrists to support their weight during moves like handstands (during flares, air-flares, 2000's, 90's, swipes etc) and freezes. Consequently, wrist sprains, strains, and tendinopathy are common injuries in breaking.

How to prevent wrist and hand injuries in breaking:

Wearing wrist supports or wraps, strengthening the wrist and forearms through exercises, and ensuring proper technique during weight-bearing moves can help prevent these injuries.

5. Head and Neck Injuries:

Headspins, windmills, and other power moves that involve spinning on the head or neck can lead to head and neck injuries. These injuries can range from mild bruises to concussions or even cervical spine injures.

How to prevent head and neck injuries in breaking:

It is crucial to master proper technique, practice on a suitable surface, and progress gradually with these moves. Using appropriate head protection, such as a padded beanie or helmet, can also reduce the risk of injury.

Breaking (commonly mistaken as breakdancing) is an electrifying dance style that requires immense skill, strength, and agility. While injuries are an inherent risk, breakers can take proactive measures to minimise the likelihood of getting injured. By implementing warm-up routines, incorporating strength and flexibility exercises, maintaining proper technique, and listening to their bodies, b-boys and b-girls can minimise the occurrence of injuries. Remember, safety and injury prevention should always be a top priority, ensuring that the journey of breaking remains both thrilling and physically sustainable for dancers around the world.

Author: Momoka "Momo" Nogita

Physiotherapist and waacker in Sydney, Australia

In 2014, Momo began her dance journey doing primarily choreography at Elements Collective Brisbane. Over the past 9 years, she has trained with elite choreography crews such as DMC (District Dance Studio), HoodNation (Hood Dance Academy), HomeBase Dance Studio, and The House of Sole. Momo currently trains extensively and intensively in waacking freestyle, battling across various states in Australia, and is part of multiple freestyle crews including The 2nd Degree, $UPER VILLAIN$, and Raengirl. Her recent achievements are:

- 2021 Elements Collective's Halloween Battles 4v4 - Winner (BNE)

- 2022 Street Styles Vol. 1 2v2 - Winner (SYD)

- 2022 Waack Your Way Vol. 5 2v2 - Winner (SYD)

- 2023 Waacking Inferno x Club Concept Open Performance - Winner (MEL)

- 2023 Partymode 5v5 - Winner (SYD)

Momo is also a Red Bull Dance Your Style sponsored dancer for 2021 and 2022 representing Queensland. ​ Momo started working as a physiotherapist since the start of 2021 at a private practice in Logan, after graduating from The University of Queensland in 2020 with Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). In Brisbane, she has founded her own business as MNPHYSIO in 2022, a physiotherapy clinic running in a dance studio. After moving to NSW, her speciality and focus has been directed to the community she loves and thrives in the most - street dancers. Her mission through MNPHYSIO is to provide affordable and reliable physiotherapy services for dancers. ​ INSTAGRAM: @momovevo