Breakdancer develops scalp tumor after decades of headspins [Video]

Researchers in Denmark have published a case report revealing an unexpected consequence of one of breakdancing’s most iconic moves: the headspin.

Breakdancing, or breaking as it’s called by its athletes, made its debut as an official sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Breakers compete in battles judged on criteria like execution, musicality, originality and technique.

Although breaking is celebrated for its athleticism and creativity, it also comes with physical risks. These can include carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve problems, as well as a condition known in the breaking community as headspin hole, an overuse injury that can affect the scalp.

The condition typically begins with hair loss but can develop into a significant bump on the top of the head.

In the case report, published Thursday in the medical journal BMJ, a man in his early 30s who had been breaking for nearly 20 years was treated for a benign tumor that had grown more than an …