The physical demands placed on dancers make their physiology and fitness just as important as skill development. However, dancers’ muscular strength and bone and joint integrity seem to suffer as a result of the dance-only selection and training system. This partly reflects the unfounded view that exercise training that is not directly related to dance would diminish dancers’ aesthetic appearances and destroy muscle flexibility. Nevertheless, data on male and female dancers have demonstrated that supplemental strength training can lead to better dancing and reduced incidents of dance injuries without interfering with key artistic and aesthetic requirements. An awareness of these factors will assist dancers and their teachers in improving training techniques, employing more effective injury prevention program, and in determining better physical conditioning strategies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
KoutedakisY, SharpNCC: The Fit and Healthy Dancer.Chichester, England: John Wiley and Sons, 1999.
2.
ClaessensAL, BeunenGP, NuytsMM, : Body structure, somato-type, maturation and motor performance of girls in ballet schooling. J Sports Med Phys Fitness27(3):310–317, 1987.
3.
HergenroederAC, BrownB, KlishWJ: Anthropometric measurements and estimating body composition in ballet dancers. Med Sci Sports Exerc25(1):145–150, 1993.
4.
van GynGH: Contemporary stretching techniques: Theory and application. In: ShellCG (ed): The Dancer as Athlete: The 1984 Olympic Scientific Congress Proceedings.Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 1986, pp. 109–116.
5.
ClarksonPM, FreedsonPS, KellerB, : Maximal oxygen uptake, nutritional patterns, and body composition of adolescent female ballet dancers. Res Q Exerc Sport56:180–184, 1985.
6.
CohenJL, SegalKR, WitriolI, McArdleWD: Cardiorespiratory responses to ballet exercise and the V02max of elite ballet dancers. Med Sci Sports Exerc14(3):212–217, 1982.
7.
ClarksonPM: The science of dance. In: ClarksonPM, SkrinarM (eds): The Science of Dance Training.Cham-paign, Illinois: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 1988, pp. 17–21.
8.
FittSS: Conditioning for dancers: Investigating some assumptions. Dance Research Journal14(1):32–38, 1982.
9.
PekkarinenH, LitmanenH, Mahla-makiS: Physiological profiles of young boys training in ballet. Br J Sports Med23(4):245–248, 1989.
10.
Misigoj-DurakovicM, MatkovicBR, RuzicL, : Body composition and functional abilities in terms of the quality of professional ballerinas. Coll Antropol25(2):585–90, 2001.
11.
TanB, AzizAR, ChuaK, TehKC: Aerobic demands of the dance simulation game. Int J Sports Med23(2):125–129, 2002.
12.
KoutedakisY, JamurtasA: The dancer as a performing athlete: Physiological considerations. Sports Med34(10):651–661, 2004.
13.
BennellK, KhanKM, MatthewsB, : Hip and ankle range of motion and hip muscle strength in young female ballet dancers and controls. Br J Sports Med33(5):340–346, 1999.
McHughMP, TylerTF, GreenbergSC, GleimGW: Differences in activation patterns between eccentric and concentric quadriceps contractions. J Sports Sci20(2):83–91, 2002.
21.
GarrickJG, LewisSL: Career hazards for the dancer. Occup Med16(4):609–618, 2001.
22.
BusheySR: Relationship of modern dance performance to agility, balance, flexibility, power, and strength. Res Q37(3):313–316, 1966.
23.
BrinsonP, DickF: Fit to Dance?London: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, 1996.
24.
KirkendallDT, CalabreseLH: Physiological aspects of dance. Clin Sports Med2(3):525–537, 1983.
25.
YannakouliaM, KeramopoulosA, TsakalakosN, MatalasAL: Body composition in dancers: The bioelec- trical impedance method. Med Sci Sports Exerc32(1):228–234, 2000.
26.
HakkinenK: Neuromuscular responses in male and female athletes to two successive strength training sessions in one day. J Sports Med Phys Fitness32(3):234–242, 1992.
27.
AsklingC, LundH, SaartokT, Thor-stenssonA: Self-reported hamstring injuries in student-dancers. Scand J Med Sci Sports12(4):230–235, 2002.
28.
KoutedakisY, KhalouhaM, PacyPJ, : Thigh peak torques and lower-body injuries in dancers. J Dance Med Sci1(1):12–15, 1997.
29.
KoutedakisY, PacyPJ, CarsonRJ, DickF: Health and fitness in professional dancers. Med Probi Perform Art12(1):23–27, 1997.
30.
SohlP, BowlingA: Injuries to dancers: Prevalence, treatment and prevention. Sports Med9(5):317–322, 1990.
31.
MyszcewyczL, KoutedakisY: Injuries, amenorrhea and osteoporosis in active females: An overview. J Dance Med Sci2(3):88–94, 1998.
32.
WarrenMP, Brooks-GunnJ, FoxRP: Osteopenia in exercise-associated amenorrhea using ballet dancers as a model: A longitudinal study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab87(7):3162–3168, 2002.
33.
BonenA, LingWY, MaclntyreKP, : Effects of exercise on the serum concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone, and estradiol. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physio142(1):15–23, 1979.
34.
KaiMC, AndersonM, LauEM: Exercise interventions: Defusing the world's osteoporosis time bomb. Bull World Health Organ81(11):827–830, 2003.
35.
HollowayJB, BaechleTR: Strength training for female athletes: A review of selected aspects. Sports Med9(4):216–228, 1990.
36.
YoungN, FormicaC, SzmuklerG, SeemanE: Bone density at weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing sites in ballet dancers: the effects of exercise, hypogonadism, and body weight. J Clin Endocrinol Metab78(2):449–454, 1994.
37.
Uusi-RasiK, SievanenH, VuoriI, : Long-term recreational gymnastics, estrogen use, and selected risk factors for osteoporotic fractures. J Bone Miner Res14(7): 1231–1238, 1999.
38.
HeinonenA, OjaP, KannusP, : Bone mineral density in female athletes representing sports with different loading characteristics of the skeleton. Bone17(3):197–203, 1995.
39.
BompaT: Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training (4th ed). Champain, Illinois: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 1999.
40.
RimmerJH, JayD, PlowmanSA: Physiological characteristics of trained dancers and intensity level of ballet class and rehearsal. Impulse2:97–105, 1994.
41.
KoutedakisY, SharpNCC: Thigh-muscles strength training, dance exercise, dynamometry, and anthropometry in professional ballerinas. J Strength Cond Res18(4):714–718, 2004.
42.
KoutedakisY, CrossV, SharpNCC: The effects of strength training in male ballet dancers. Impulse4(3):210–219, 1996.
43.
StalderMA, NobleBJ, WilkinsonJG: The effects of supplemental weight training for ballet dancers. J Appl Sport Sci Res4(3):95–102, 1990.
44.
GroerS, FallonF: Supplemental conditioning among ballet dancers: Preliminary findings. Med Probi Perform Art8(1):25–28, 1993.
45.
BennellKL, KhanKM, MatthewsBL, SingletonC: Changes in hip and ankle range of motion and hip muscle strength in 8-11 year old novice female ballet dancers and controls: A 12 month follow up study. Br J Sports Med35(1):54–59, 2001.
46.
MacDougallJD, ElderGC, SaleDC, : Effects of strength training and immobilization on human muscle fibres. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol43(1):25–34, 1980.
47.
EnokaRM: Neural adaptations with chronic physical activity. J Biomech30(5):447–55, 1997.
48.
PloutzLL, TeschPA, BiroRL, DudleyGA: Effect of resistance training on muscle use during exercise. J Appl Physiol76(4): 1675–1681, 1994.
49.
KoutedakisY, AgrawalA, SharpNCC: Isokinetic characteristics of knee flexors and extensors in male dancers, Olympic oarsmen, Olympic bobsleighers and non-athletes. J Dance Med Sci2(2):63–67, 1998.
50.
HamiltonWG, HamiltonLH, MarshallP, MolnarM: A profile of the musculoskeletal characteristics of elite professional ballet dancers. Am J Sports Med20(3):267–273, 1992.
51.
KraemerWJ, HakkinenK, Triplett-McbrideNT, : Physiological changes with periodized resistance training in women tennis players. Med Sci Sports Exerc35(1):157–168, 2003.
52.
HarberMP, FryAC, RubinMR, : Skeletal muscle and hormonal adaptations to circuit weight training in untrained men. Scand J Med Sci Sports14(3):176–185, 2004.
53.
CullinenK, CaldwellM: Weight training increases fat-free mass and strength in untrained young women. J Am Diet Assoc98(4):414–418, 1998.
54.
PaulaK, CarvalhoA, AzevedoT, NobregaA: Interaction between resistance and flexibility training in healthy young adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc30(5 Suppl):1135, 1998.
55.
PrattM: Strength, flexibility, and maturity in adolescent athletes. Am J Dis Child143(5):560–563, 1989.
56.
SrhojL: Effect of motor abilities on performing the Hvar folk dance cicilion in 11-year-old girls. Coll Antropol26(2):539–543, 2002.
57.
KurzT: Stretching Scientifically: A Guide to Flexibility Training (4th ed). Island Pond, Vermont: Stadion Publishing, 2003.
58.
IssurinVB, LiebermannDG, Tenen-baumG: Effect of vibratory stimulation training on maximal force and flexibility. J Sports Sci12(6):561–566, 1994.
59.
TrainorTJ, TrainorMA: Etiology of low back pain in athletes. Curr Sports Med Rep3(1):41–46, 2004.
60.
CupistiA, DalessandroC, EvangelistiI, : Low back pain in competitive rhythmic gymnasts. J Sports Med Phys Fitness44(1):49–53, 2004.
61.
HoganKA, GrossRH: Overuse injuries in pediatric athletes. Orthop Clin North Am34(3):405–15, 2003.
62.
KnapikJJ, BaumanCL, JonesBH, : Preseason strength and flexibility imbalances associated with athletic injuries in female collegiate athletes. Am J Sports Med19(1):76–81, 1991.
63.
Dubravcic-SimunjakS, PecinaM, KuipersH, : The incidence of injuries in elite junior figure skaters. Am J Sports Med31 (4): 511–517, 2003.
64.
ClantonTO, CoupeKJ: Hamstring strains in athletes: Diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg6(4):237–248, 1998.
