Dance and health
It can benefit both physical and mental health and subsidizes social communication[2] Dance is an art which is learned in and shared between many cultures.
[3] Most forms of dance may be considered aerobic exercise, and as such can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, help weight control, stress reduction, and bring about other benefits commonly associated with physical fitness.
[5] A 2008 report by Professor Tim Watson and Dr. Andrew Garrett of the University of Hertfordshire compared members of the Royal Ballet with a squad of British national and international swimmers.
[6] For those with hypercholesterolemia, dancing – in conjunction with diet and medication such as statins – can provide positive health benefits.
[7] Dancing in general increases muscle strength and flexibility, which in turn, improves overall range of motion.
Dance also increases core strength which can improve balance, coordination, and posture (which can, in turn, reduce mechanical back pain).
[citation needed] Dancers risk injury within the course of their career, many retiring from active performance in their mid to late 30s.
Since dance is a performance art with emphasis on aesthetics, dancers are also at a higher risk of body image problems and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
Dance movements can place stress on the body when not performed correctly; even if perfect form is used, over-repetition can cause repetitive strain injury.
[16] Overwork and poor occupational health and safety conditions, a (non-sprung) hard floor, a cold studio or theater, or dancing without sufficient warm up also increase risk of injury.
Dancers will strive to achieve the ideal aesthetic in their respective dance technique by over compensating for their limitations and thus presenting themselves with a higher risk for injury.
Dancers are trained from a very young age to avoid injury by using plie, turn out, and other means to protect their bodies.
[19] Wearing properly fitting clothing and shoes, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, do not dance through pain, rest and then start back up again and listen to your teachers for correct technique.
[23] Pain and inflammation can be reduced using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in a gel applied to the affected area (not on broken skin).
[27] As with other activities (such as horse jockeying) where weight is a factor, dancers are at a higher risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
Inadequate nutrition in adolescent females has been linked to development of scoliosis, due to decreased oestrogen production and subsequent reduced bone density.
A malnourished dancer's performance will be altered and weaken as his or her body starts to break down muscle and bone in order to fuel itself.
Many professionals specialize in dancer's health such as in providing complementary or remedial training or improving mental discipline.
