are included to help the reader better understand
the function and location of muscles as well as the
purpose of classic strength or flexibility exercises
for improving dance technique and helping prevent
common injuries. In the final section of each of these
chapters, common dance injuries for the given region
are described. The purpose of these injury sections is
not for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Rather, they
provide a better understanding of the anatomical
basis of selected injuries so that teachers and danc-
ers have a sound basis for evaluating risk, deciding
on temporary modification, or designing sequential
class progressions that will allow execution of dance
repertoire with the desired aesthetic and lower injury
risk. Through the material in the injury sections the
dancer can be better informed when seeking treat-
ment from a qualified medical professional should
an injury occur.
The concluding chapter of this book provides a
schema that will help readers analyze full-body dance
movements. The purpose of this chapter is to present
a tool that can be used to increase understanding of
strength, flexibility, and technique issues that will
influence optimal execution of a dance movement.
This understanding will allow the dancer and dance
instructor to be more specific in cueing and in the
use of supplemental exercises so that dance perfor-
mance is enhanced.Special Elements
Various special elements appear throughout most
chapters to provide practical applications of selected
key concepts covered in the given chapter. Some of
these special elements can easily be utilized in a lab
format in academic settings. The special elements
include the following:- Concept Demonstrations select key concepts that
are often difficult to grasp and provide move-
ment experiences that the reader can perform
to aid learning. - Tests and Measurements provide examples of
tests that are used for evaluation of areas such as
ligamental injury, muscular strength, or flexibility.
Although many of these tests require specialized
training to perform and are not meant to be per-
formed by the reader without such training, they
have been included because they clearly illustrate
the function or constraint provided by a given
structure. - Dance Cues reflect on the potential anatomical
basis of some cues that are commonly used when
teaching dance technique.- Attachments tables provide the pronunciation,
proximal attachment(s), distal attachment(s),
and key action(s) of the primary muscles covered
in this text. This special element is included in
chapters 3 through 7, positioned closely to the
picture and verbal description of the given muscle
to aid the reader with deducing the line of pull
and potential action(s) of the given muscle. - Study Questions and Applications are designed
to aid with learning the material presented in the
chapter and with checking that key concepts are
understood.
- Attachments tables provide the pronunciation,
Dance Terminology
Throughout the text, dance movements are often
described using terminology from ballet. This was
done because of the greater standardization of this
terminology. However, simplified versions of this
terminology (e.g., front développé vs. développé
devant) without reference to the facing of the body
are used to make the information more accessible
to dance medicine professionals and dancers from
other dance forms, who often use ballet terminology
less formally. But this common use of ballet termi-
nology is not meant to limit the application of the
information to ballet technique; dancers can make
parallel applications to similar movements in the
dance form of their choice.How to Use This Book
for Different GoalsAlthough the original impetus for this book was to
provide a text for university courses, it is also intended
for other dancers, for dance teachers, and for those
who provide health care for dancers. Potential benefits
for the teacher include a clearer picture of anatomical
and kinesiological factors that will help the teacher
better communicate technique challenges, a better
understanding of what to look for in students to iden-
tify potential technique problems, and exercises that
can be given to students to help them better achieve
technical success. Potential benefits for the dancer
include a better understanding of technique chal-
lenges such as proper turnout and alignment and
a clearer understanding of individual strengths and
weaknesses, as well as of ways to improve the areas of
weakness. Potential benefits for health care providers
include a better understanding of how injury preven-
tion and treatment relate to dance technique.
In an attempt to meet the disparate needs of
the potential readers just described, this book isviii Preface