Ballet is a performing artwork that requires dedication, and typically sacrifice, to achieve the skilled stage. Researchers on the Performing Arts Drugs Clinic at UNT Well being Sciences Heart in Fort Value are finding out why that sacrifice typically comes on the expense of well being.
“Particularly bone well being,” mentioned Dr. Yein Lee, director of the performing arts medication fellowship at UNT Well being Sciences Heart. “From a sports activities medication perspective or one other medical perspective, we see it lots within the clinic.”
“Whereas doing this fellowship, I noticed many dancers with accidents and stress fractures,” mentioned Dr. Stephen Fung, DO, a member of Performing Arts Drugs. “My query was, why?”
So Fung, a former aggressive Dancesport dancer with a bachelor's diploma in Dance from UC San Diego, launched a examine to seek out threat components and options.
“It's vital to give attention to girls,” Fung mentioned. “As a result of women and men are biologically totally different.”
Historically, ballet dancers needed to be sturdy, however not overly muscular.
“On the pre-professional stage, they’re very acutely aware of their look and aesthetics,” Fung mentioned. “And they also do all the things they’ll. That may come within the type of physique dysmorphia and consuming problems, which limits their energy.”
“You understand, not all dancers expertise an consuming dysfunction,” Bethany Bailey mentioned. “But it surely's prevalent sufficient that many dance departments are taking steps to battle that mentality.”
Bailey research dance at TCU and likewise teaches. She has been in ballet most of her life.
“My mother bought me into dancing once I was three years previous,” Bailey mentioned. “It's a lovely factor to expertise and it's a lovely factor to hold into each a part of life.”
“I feel there's already an enormous cultural shift within the dancer world, in terms of total well being and wellness,” Lee mentioned. “We simply wish to be a assist.”
One of many objectives of the analysis is to have a self-assessment guidelines that ballet dancers can use to see their threat components. It might additionally apply extra broadly to feminine athletes.
“To maintain them wholesome whereas dancing and to allow them to take pleasure in doing no matter they need,” Fung mentioned. “And everyone seems to be comfortable!”