Physiologic profiles of female professional ballerinas

The prospect of the application of scientific techniques of physiology and movement science to dance promises to enhance not only the performance but also the safety of ballet dancing. The scientific analysis of nutrition, strength, and cardiovascular and movement demands of elite athletes in a great variety of competitive sports has increased our understanding of the stresses placed upon the body in these sports and in so doing has improved training techniques, enhanced performance, and helped to decrease the incidence of injuries. The application of these scientific analysis techniques to dance may reap similar benefits. Although the classical ballet teacher may, at first glance, be horrified by a computer analogue analysis of a grand jete, the information obtained from such studies may help him or her to decide when a young dancer is ready for such a technique or demonstrate a technical deficiency in the performance of such a technique. Similarly, the often debated question of when a young dancer should attempt pointe may become less subject to a teacher's intuition or parental pressure if research on the strength of muscles, bones, and ligaments teaches us the specific levels needed before this technique should be attempted.