Ballet and how it can improve neuromuscular function with age

Ballet shows numerous physiological benefits for dancers, with adaptations in posture, power, strength, stamina, and balance. A recent study from Simpkins and Yang (J Neurophysiol 132: 1115-1125, 2024) showed that 45% of ballet-trained dancers experienced a fall during a standing-slip perturbation, compared with 82.6% of nondancers, along with shorter step latencies, durations, and speeds, which were accompanied by shorter electromyographic latencies in several leg muscles. This study demonstrates the viability of ballet training in aiding fall prevention in elderly individuals.