Glossary · Anatomy & Technique
The outward rotation of the legs – why not every degree of turnout can be trained
Turnout (French "en dehors") refers to the outward rotation of the legs from the hip – a central technical requirement in almost all classical and many contemporary dance styles.
True turnout primarily originates from the external rotation capacity of the hip joint, which is largely anatomically predetermined and only trainable to a limited degree – rotational capacity in the knee is considerably more limited than in the hip. When the visually desired degree of turnout is forced not through the hip but through additional rotation at the knee or by shifting foot placement, it creates a load pattern that can stress the knee and ankle over time. This makes turnout an example of how aesthetic demands and anatomical reality can come into conflict in dance – and why early, individual assessment of one's own mobility should be part of healthy dance training.
Because forced turnout can create harmful load patterns at the knee and ankle, a realistic assessment of one's own hip mobility is an important part of CENIT e.V.'s prevention work. One possible sign of forced rather than anatomical turnout is when the toes point noticeably further outward than the kneecaps when the leg is straight – sometimes called "screwing" the knee. An individual assessment of hip mobility by trained professionals can help realistically gauge one's own anatomical limits rather than forcing past them.
This entry serves to convey knowledge in a prevention context and is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice. For an individual assessment of hip mobility, we recommend consulting professionals experienced in dance medicine – for example through ta.med's referral network or the resources provided by IADMS.
Coplan JA. Ballet Dancer's Turnout and its Relationship to Self-Reported Injury. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2002;32(11):579–584. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2002.32.11.579 · IADMS Resource Paper: Turnout for Dancers – Hip Anatomy and Factors Affecting Turnout. International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. iadms.org
