Module 2: Literature Research DANCE UK: HEALTHIER PERFORMER PROGRAMME

Module 2: Literature Research

DANCE UK: HEALTHIER PERFORMER PROGRAMME

LINK: http://www.danceuk.org/healthier-dancer-programme/

The HDP works to improve the physical and psychological health and well being of dancers through:

·   Advice and information on health, fitness and injury prevention for dancers, both for recreational dancers and for those in vocational training and working professionally.

·   Healthier dancer events for dance professionals, dance medicine and healthcare practitioners and scientists - promoting in-depth, shared understanding of healthier dance practice.

·   The Healthcare Practitioners Directory, a UK wide database of medical practitioners and complementary therapists with experience of working with dancers.

·   Facilitating research into dancers' health, injury and performance. 

·   Working with experts in medicine, science, health and dance to improve and develop our understanding of healthy dance practice and set standards for the dance sector.

·   Advocating for improved healthcare and dance science provision for dancers.

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As the fields of dance medicine and dance science are expanding and gaining maturity so the wealth of information available to dancers, dance teachers and all those working in the dance field is expanding and progressing.

If we want to make sure that we are maximising the potential of our dancers, now and in the future, it is essential to keep up-to-date with developments in dance medicine and science and improve our understanding of a whole range of factors that impact on dancer's health and performance.

There are many ways dancers, teachers, choreographers, directors and managers can make sure they are familiar with such developments, for example:

Become a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science

Attend workshops and conferences, look out for these in 'Events'. 

• Subscribe to periodicals such as Dance UK News, the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, and the IADMS Bulletin for Teachers.

• Access publications such as those listed in 'Publications and Resources'.

• Invite speakers and consultants to talk and work with staff/dancers and provide input and inspiration to aid best practice.

• Subscribe to Dance UK's Healthier Dancer e-group.

Dance UK's Healthier Dancer Programme organises events and conferences to bring different sections of the dance community together to address pertinent issues. These are publisised on their website, along with details of other relevant events and conferences.

The HDP also encourages dance organisations, companies and schools to develop and share opportunities for further professional development and aims to facilitate this by offering information, ideas, resources and publicity through these pages.

Talks in dancers’ health and performance aim to:

• Promote safe and effective dance practice in educational and professional environments

• Educate dancers and educators on mechanisms for injury prevention and performance enhancement

• Raise awareness of resources, programmes, and organisations that facilitate dancers’ health and performance. 

Talks Offered

Talks provide an overview of major topics in dancer's health, from fitness, nutrition, psychology and safe dance practice to over-training and hyper mobility in dance. Workshops have been prepared with today’s dancer in mind and will include both theoretical and practical elements.

Workshops for Dancers 

• Introducing healthy dance practice
• Perfectionism
• Confidence and anxiety
• The psychology of injury
• Psychology and performance preparation
• Dancers' physical differences
• Nutrition and hydration
• Rest and overtraining
• Warming up and cooling down
• Theory and practice in interval and circuit training
• Dance specific conditioning: Floorwork and partnering

Workshops for Teachers 

• NEW - Empowering Dance in association with The University of Birmingham
• Managing adolescence
• Dancers' physical differences
• Hypermobility
• Eating disorders
• Fitness training
• Fitness testing
• Schedule for success
• Preventing overtraining     

 

NEW - Modules

Modules include 3 or more talks and can be taught over a creation period, term or programme to develop a deeper knowledge of certain subjects. Dance Uk also offer bespoke modules to suit a student/performer's needs.

INJURY AND THE DANCER

80% of dancers are injured each year. Injury is not only a time of physical difficulty, but may also come with psychological distress. Dancers face fears of lost training time, work and income and thus may not seek medical advice when injuries occur. This module explores tips on:

• reducing injury through warm up and cool down
• optimal fitness for dance
• the signs and symptoms of overtraining
• the psychological effects of stress and anxiety that may precede injury
• tools, advice and medical care for injury

DANCING FIT

Fitness is a key factor for excellent performance and optimal health for dancers and preparing for performance is about much more than what happens in dance class. This module will:

• give an overview of the theory and research on the physiological demands of dance
• explore the use of supplementary training to develop strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness 
• offer specialised workshops on conditioning for floor work and partnering
• explore the implications of scheduling on dancers’ performance and fitness
• look at the value of periodization in training and creation.

THE MIND IN DANCE

Dancers must develop both the mind and the body to prepare for training and a career in dance. This module will:

• provide an overview of the challenges dancers face, such as developing a performance mindset, managing anxiety, coping with setbacks and developing resilience and confidence. 
• explore tools and resources for integrating mental skills.

From exploring this source I have identified that there are companies/organisations who support students throughout their training and performers throughout their career. I was aware of Equity, who support professionals within my industry however there are a wide range of conferences, articles, workshops, talks and modules set up by organisations such as Dance UK, to build the awareness of physical and psychological health and well being of dancers. Within my Inquiry this source is very useful as it highlights that there is accessible support for student as well as performers within the Performing Arts Industry. I do feel that as well as being advertised online these organisations should be publicized within Performing Arts Colleges. This action would benefit students who are seeking help or need guidance throughout their training.