Pain Across Artists' Lifespan

Having a lifelong career as a professional performing artist carries both challenges and benefits across different body systems. Pushing one's body to the limits results in a higher risk of suffering from some kind of episode of overload, whether it be physical or psychological. Indeed, a sudden increase in playing load (overtraining) is linked with increased frequency and intensity of pain or performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in both dance and music student populations. In this issue, research highlights this across the lifespan and in different genres of performing arts, including Irish fiddlers.