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Dance Technique incorporating safe dance practice

Performing sequences relative to anatomical structure

Body maintenance

Weight management

The dangers for the dancer of being overweight are relatively clear. An overweight body is placed under high stress, physiologically (on the cardiovascular system), biomechanically (placing the joints under stress) and aesthetically (restricting a dancer’s movement potential).

At the other end of scale the underweight dancer is also at risk. Two most common eating disorders – anorexia nervosa and bulimia – are psychological disorders often related to individuals’ self-esteem and body image. Dancers’ preoccupation with body image often predisposes them to the psychological conditions, which trigger these conditions.

The keys to weight management are:

the establishment of achievable long-term goals
balance in the energy input and output (active dancers may require additional complex carbohydrates to meet their energy demands)
balance in nutritional food groups.

Above all dancers should recognise weight management as establishing long-term eating habits and activity patterns. Dieting implies short-term modification to eating habits. Where this involves a restriction of kilojoules, the actual effect can be a lowering of metabolism, which makes losing weight more difficult. It also creates a sense of denial, which ultimately is a psychological barrier to weight loss.

Activity

In core performance it is important to study the effect of body weight on controlling correct dance technique. A large part of the study of safe dance practice is learning how to apply the knowledge of nutrition in technique classes, thus enabling you to execute movement safely and efficiently.

Focus: BMI, amenorrhoea, and eating disorders

References:

Arnheim, D. (1991). Dance Injuries: their Prevention and Care. 3rd Edition. Princeton Book Company, Princeton.

Crookshanks, D. (1999). Safe Dance III Report. Australian Dance Council–Ausdance. NSW, Australia.

Crookshanks, D. (1999) The Female Athlete Triad: What it means to dancers. Safe Dance III Report. Australian Dance Council - Ausdance. NSW, Australia.

Geeves, T. (1997) Safe Dance II Report Australian Dance Council - Ausdance. NSW, Australia.

Howse, J., Hancock, S. (1992) Dance Technique and Injury Prevention. Theatre Arts Books/ Routledge: NY

Fitt, S. (1988) Dance Kinesiology. Schirmer Books: NY

Discuss the problems associated with being overweight and underweight on the performance of your dance.
What are the problems associated with low-calorie diets? Make reference to the body mass index (BMI), amenorrhoea, and eating disorders. (Geeves, 1997: p. 130-133; Crookshanks, 1999)
What are the problems associated with inadequate fluid replacement?

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