Breakdancing, a remarkable urban dance form that dominated the world stage since its inception in the 1970s, was confirmed as an official competition at the recent Summer Olympics. It’s an iconic representation of the vibrant, entertaining, and expressive youth culture. However, this art form is not without its dangers. The most committed breakers who thread on the vibrant beats and rhythm of music often find themselves battling various injuries and health issues. Among these injuries, one unique and strange condition stands out, known as the “headspin hole” or “breakdance bulge”. This unusual condition is described as a noticeable bulge on the scalp that results from repeatedly executing a potent breakdance move, commonly referred to as a headspin.
An alarming case of a breakdancer beset by this peculiar condition prompted a detailed examination and study, yielding significant insight into the characteristics and treatment of this rare condition. This situation was carefully analyzed and subsequently documented in a professional health journal.
The subject participating in the case study was a male breakdancer, who was in his early thirties. He sought medical help due to a distinctively conspicuous bump on the crown of his head. The case was seized as a unique opportunity for study by Mikkal Bundgaard Skotting and Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, medical professionals at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.
The breakdancer in the case study had been practicing his art for nearly 19 years, incorporating various types of headspins into his daily training sessions. His training typically consisted of five days a week, with each session lasting about 90 minutes. During these periods, the headspin moves applied significant pressure on the crown of his head, stretching from two to seven minutes every interval. In the past half-decade, he noticed a blatant augmentation in the size of the lump on his head coupled with increased sensitivity. An MRI revealed a substantial thickness of the encircling skin, tissue, and skull.
The research revealed that such injuries are not uncommon among breakdancers, particularly for those who engage frequently in headspins. According to a study conducted specifically on this topic, it was found that about 60.4 percent of breakdancers experienced overuse injuries to their scalp due to headspins. In fact, 31.1 percent of these injuries had resulted in hair loss, whereas 23.6 percent had led to the formation of bumps on the head. Furthermore, about 36.8 percent had reported experiencing inflammation in the scalp. Another noteworthy study showed that breakdancers who performed headspins more than three times a week were substantially prone to hair loss.
With these alarming results in view, the increasing popularity of breakdancing, its recognition as an official sporting event, and the lack of widespread information regarding the associated dangers, proves the necessity for more awareness about the potential repercussions. Appropriate safety measures, safe practices, and protective equipment must be promoted to minimize the frequency and severity of such injuries among breakdancers. Dancers ought to be educated and informed about the potential downfall of over-exerting their bodies and pushing their limits too far in the pursuit of performing captivating routines. This will ensure the survival and evolution of this exhilarating art form, without unnecessarily compromising the health of its artists.
