Background A good control of the spinal posture may induce greater ability to change spinal angles in several positions. The spinal posture influences vertebral loading during daily activities. Neutral postures have been associated to lower spinal forces in the intervertebral joints.

Objective To compare the spinal posture and pelvic tilt between relaxed standing and active alignment while standing in elementary education dancers.

Design Comparative study.

Setting Dance Conservatory professional. The sample included dance students of 4th year.

Participants 46 female dancers (mean±SD, age: 12.07±1.01 years-old) were recruited for this study. All participants had at less 4 years of experience in the Dance Conservatory.

Risk factor assessment Not applicable.

Main outcome measurements Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt were measured in relaxed standing and during active alignment of spinal curvatures using a Spinal Mouse^®.

Results Thoracic and lumbar curvatures and pelvic tilt values while relaxed standing were 18.72±11.11°, -25.52±7.14° and 19.52±5.10°, respectively. Mean values in the active alignment were: 4.96±13.54°, -3.76±12.12° and 4.57±7.06°, respectively. Significant differences between both postures were found in the thoracic (t=6.39; P<.001) and lumbar curvatures (t=−10.33; P<.001), and pelvic tilt (t=12.29; P<.001).

Conclusions Dance is associated with a large control of spinal posture in standing position. Dance training is related to a great curvature change when active alignment of spinal curves is required. This control of spinal curvatures may reduce the risk of injury in dance and daily activities.