A recent case report describes an unusual injury caused by breakdancing.
While the sport is rising in popularity after its controversial inclusion in the 2024 Olympics, researchers in Denmark have discovered a risk associated with repetitive headspins.
The move is popular within the breaking community and involves a person balancing on their head while spinning their body.
The case study focuses on a man in his early 30s who was treated for a benign tumor — a “headspin hole” according to doctors — after breakdancing for two decades.
The dancer developed the “scalp protuberance over 5 years of extensive head-spinning practice,” per the abstract.
The case study notes that the injury was likely caused by friction between the scalp and the floor and the general pressure placed on the head during headspins, according to CNN.
“This repetitive strain on the skull, scalp and skin likely triggers inflammation, and over time, minor bleeding may lead to thickened skin and scar tissue, forming the characteristic bulge,” noted neurosurgery specialist Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, who co-authored the study with Mikkel Bundgaard Skotting.
Søndergaard also treated the patient, who stated that he felt discomfort caused by the tumor and would often conceal the bump on his head.
Ars Technica reports that, at the time of the study, the man practiced breakdancing skills five days a week in 90-minute sessions. He focused on headspins in 2- to 7-minute increments.
When the patient’s tumor was removed, he felt relief. “It’s great to be able to go out in public without a cap or hat,” he said. “Many people tell me they don’t notice the bump anymore and that my head looks completely normal.”
It is unclear if the dancer continues to practice breakdancing and headspins.
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There is little awareness of the condition or similar injuries within the breakdancing community, although dancers have reported hair loss caused by headspins.
In an interview with UPI, clinical professor and concussion specialist Dr. Angela Lumba-Brown suggested that breakdancers take preventative measures to avoid overuse injuries.
“I would recommend using a helmet when you’re doing any kind of breakdancing, such as repeated headspins, that involves this type of strain on your head,” she said.
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