A study of dance wellness for females age 8-13

Abstract

With the high rates of dancers either losing the possibility for a professional career or having to end their career early due to inadequate regiments through their developmental period, it is important to question why it is so commonly seen, and what can be done to prevent it. Females specifically undergo physical and hormonal changes during this time that can make their bodies very sensitive to the intensity required when training for a professional career. Through this research I look at what the current wellness regimes are of dancers, what is happening as a result of these regiments, and the implications they have on the dancers. I break down a condition known as the Female Athlete Triad in relation to dancers of this age, and how the components of energy availability, the menstrual cycle, and bone density all intertwine and affect the dancer’s health and performance. Additionally, since injuries are a common reason for dancers ending their careers early, especially ones that could be prevented through adequate care, overuse injuries are also addressed. With this information, and through drawing from personal experience, I propose potential next steps for dancers and educators to put in place. This is to create the ideal wellness regiment for each individual dancer that will provide them a long and fruitful career as a professional dancer without sacrificing their health and well-being to do so.