Overtraining...

I have been looking further into the issues around overtraining and its impact on dancers. Liederbach (2008) explains that overtraining arises when,

‘…An individual ceases to adapt positively to training stress when it is imposed in a sustained, long-term, and highly intense manner. Dancers are at risk for developing overtraining syndrome. Overtraining syndrome is defined as an unexpected drop in performance that cannot be attributed to illness or injury.’ (Liederbach, 2008, p.11)

This week I decided to reduce the intensity and duration of my regular fitness training due to having an audition at the end of the week. I made this decision in order to ensure that my muscles were not sore and that I was not fatigued ahead of the audition so that I could perform to the best of my ability.

Koutedakis (2000) notes that disproportional increases in either frequency or intensity of physical work, in conjunction with insufficient recovery, may overload the body. He observes that overtraining…

‘…tends to occur in dancers during periods of increased commitments either in class or on stage and in individuals whose daily practices produce an imbalance between physical activity and recovery from it.’ (Koutedakis, 2000, p.122)

It is important that a balance is struck between a fitness programme, dance class, rehearsals, auditions and performances in order for a dancers peak performance to be maintained. 

Next week I will resume my normal training regime and increase the intensity of my exercises to continue to build my strength and endurance. 

References:

Koutedakis, Y. (2000) “Burnout” in Dance. The Physiological Viewpoint. Journal of Dance Medicine and Science4(4), 122 – 127

Liederbach, M (2008), Dance Medicine: Strategies for the Prevention and Care of Injuries to Dancers, Epidemiology of Dance Injuries: Biopsychosocial Considerations in the Management of
Dancer Health.Orthopaedic Section, APTA, Inc. (p.11)

Fitness training for dancers...

I have been looking further into a range of literature relating to my inquiry topic which is about fitness and enhanced dance performance. I have found it really interesting reading the various views and it has sparked a lot of new thoughts. 

This particular article resonated with me as it acknowledges the increasing choreographic demands of the current dance industry along with an evaluation of the need for supplementary fitness training alongside dancers class and rehearsals. 

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.iadms.org/resource/resmgr/Public/Bull_4-1_pp15-17_Kozai.pdf

During my time at Northern Ballet School I did not attend a gym or undergo any form of fitness training outside of the structured timetabled classes. As soon as I began dancing professionally I created myself a fitness regime and planned my sessions around rehearsals and performances. I felt that this was essential for me in order to continue to develop my skill as a dancer, feel confident in costumes and perform to the best of my ability. Upon reflection, I wish that I had began my fitness training earlier whilst I was attending vocational school, as this would have prepared my body for the demands of choreography and the intense nature of the dance industry. 

However there is a tension here between achieving peak fitness and overtraining. Overtraining syndrome (Liederbach and Compagno, 2001) is something that dancers can suffer from by not allowing their bodies time to rest and recover.

The aesthetic demands of the industry may be a motivation as well as an added pressure for dancers to train their bodies even harder as there are various audition posts online looking for ‘toned dancers’. It is so important to strike the right balance between training and rest to ensure that overtraining syndrome is avoided and the optimum level of fitness is achieved. 

References:

Kozai, A (2012) Supplementary Muscular Fitness Training for Dancers, International Association for Dance Medicine & Science

Liederbach, M. & Compagno, J. M. (2001). Psychological aspects of fatigue-related injuries in dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine in Science, 5(4), 116 – 120

Data Collection…

I have spent this week finalising my data collection methods for my inquiry. I originally decided to use questionnaires and a focus group. However, following the Skype call with Adesola I have reflected on these methods and now consider that they are not the best choice for my inquiry. 

I previously aimed to speak to other professional dancers, like myself about their fitness training regimes and the role that fitness plays for them in their practice. Upon reflection, this is something that I can draw information from through my own reflective journal and video log and I would not gain any further significant insights through this process. 

During the Skype call we discussed issues around interviews and how they may not be the best method for data collection. However, when discussing my inquiry topic Adesola mentioned that speaking to a specialist in the field could provide me with further insights and thoughts to consider. I have been looking into this and have decided to conduct an interview with a former professional dancer who has now opened a specialist gym. 

I have also decided to conduct an online market assessment of the existing specialist fitness trainers for professional dancers.

I am now mapping out my interview questions and working on bringing my draft proposal together. 

Developments...

I have been working on my practice-based inquiry plan and analysing the various research methods to determine the best approach for my inquiry topic. I have spent time reading Judith Bell’s book, ‘Doing your Research Project’ which has helped me to evaluate each method and the important factors to consider. 

I have also spent some time looking at the MORE form online ahead of the submission deadline in week 9. This has helped to prompt me with further ethical considerations for my research project and I have noted that I need to leave enough time to complete the remainder of the form before it is due. 

I feel that this week has been a bit of a breakthrough week and I am starting to see my research plan take shape. I now plan on spending further time looking into literature and bringing all areas of my plan together in my proposal.

Looking at literature…

I have spent this week looking into the various pieces of literature surrounding my inquiry topic, which is about the role of gym-based exercise for professional dancers.

It has been very interesting to note different perspectives on the subject and has also sparked new thoughts and ideas that I now want to look into further. 

A particular article that has resonated with me is ‘The Dancer as a Performing Athlete’, as it recognises the complex relationship between better physical conditioning, traditional training and the aesthesis of dance. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8377670_The_dancer_as_a_performing_athlete_Physiological_considerations

I have started the basic framework of my literature review and will spend time over the coming weeks developing this along with my inquiry proposal. 

Are there any interesting articles that have particularly resonated with you?

Research as mapping to build understanding…

Todays Skype call has really helped me to understand the aims of module two. 

We discussed how our inquiry is not about looking for an answer but instead exploring a topic that we want to know more about - we are on a journey to find out more.

Module two is about learning research design and the different ways to undertake research (planning the journey), in preparation for module three (doing the journey). This way of visualising the course has given me a clear direction for my next module.

We talked about mapping different ways to research and how there are ‘main roads’ that symbolise common research methods such as interviewing and ‘side roads’ that can offer alternative routes. These ‘side roads’ are the areas that I am going to spend time discovering as I aim to look into less explored methods of research.

We spoke about the importance of other peoples perspectives and how reading reviews of articles can offer different opinions. The inquiry is not about collecting data for answers but it is about exploration and analysis.

During our discussions it was mentioned that we should follow the steps of the cycle in our handbook at least three times during module two in order to explore our inquiry topic and stimulate our learning. I have currently started my first cycle and look forward to discovering further questions and discourses during my research.

Feedback…

As a performer, feedback is something that I have been given throughout every stage of my learning. It has shaped my skills and has been so significant to how I have progressed during my practice.

Constructive feedback of my dancing has always triggered a deeper self-evaluation and reflection of my work using the opinions of someone else to stimulate my own thoughts making it an essential element of my developing. During my dance training I used feedback as a way to set new goals for myself in each discipline. I am going to transfer this learning into my BAPP course and I have spent the last few days setting short and long term targets for this term.

Editing my work is an area that I am going to focus on during my next module to ensure that my work conveys the detail required without the need for too many words. Another area that I am going to continue to consider is the various forms that I could present my artefact in and my aim is to think of a more unique approach that can express my learning through my professional practice as I continue through the BAPP course.

Along with reading and annotating my handbook for module two, I have also re-read my portfolio submission for module one to understand each element of my feedback and to reflect on my work in order to progress into my next module.