Imagine trying to withstand a force 12 times your own body weight. Sounds impossible, yet that’s what your Achilles tendon (AT) does during something as simple as running. As the strongest tendon in the body, it’s essential for every movement. But the same repetitive motions that strengthen this tendon can also lead to injury. Achilles tendinopathy, pain and swelling along the tendon, is one of the most common overuse injuries in both runners and dancers. So how can similar motions account for both AT strength and damage?
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Turning Pretty: The Biomechanics of Perfecting Piqués In Dance
While technical dance, such as ballet, is the epitome of visually effortless movements, have you wondered how dancers are able to turn on a small bodily area without falling over? It turns out there is much more to a dancer’s execution of a turn than the elegant movement the audience sees.
Continue reading “Turning Pretty: The Biomechanics of Perfecting Piqués In Dance”Dancers: Athletes or Artists?
Throughout history, there has been a long-standing debate about whether dancers should be classified as athletes or artists. Athletes need strength to be proficient in a sport. Artists require creativity to produce works of art. Dancers combine strength with artistry to not only leap high into the air but also look graceful as they do so. Yet, many people still refuse to classify dancers as athletes or even as athletic artists.
Continue reading “Dancers: Athletes or Artists?”You’re En Pointe! Biomechanics and Ankle Injury Risk in Ballet Dancers
Dancing in pointe shoes raises the risk of injury for female ballerinas. Complex balletic movements require elevated muscular efforts and can put excessive stress loads on the ankle bones. Not many biomechanical studies focus on ballet, even as findings could contribute to decreased injury risk for dancers. A number of factors, such as ground reaction forces, ankle sway, and shoe flexibility can affect a dancer’s injury risk. But which factors contribute most?
Continue reading “You’re En Pointe! Biomechanics and Ankle Injury Risk in Ballet Dancers”Are Muscle Loads During Irish Dance Unsafe?
Do you think your ankle can bear loads more than 14 times your body weight? Can you look graceful while doing it?
This question is one of great importance for many athletes participating in high-impact sports. Dancers of all kinds have strived, for years now, to perfect the balance of athleticism and grace that their competitive markets demand. Achieving this balance is no simple feat, and many dancers fall victim to injuries during their countless repetitions of high impact leaps and landings, and Irish dancers are no exception. Researchers have recognized the need for biomechanical analysis of muscles and joints of Irish dancers, and created a model to do just that.
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