Progress…

I have spent the last few weeks juggling a new dance contract and finding spare time to spend working on my final module. After a day off from rehearsals today I have been able to get on top of my work and I have begun to see the elements of my research report come together. 

One research method in my inquiry is a market assessment of specialist fitness training for dancers. I have spent some time undertaking this analysis. The results of which have proved interesting and have raised a number of further questions and issues that I will go on to explore in concluding my research report. In particular I am now going to extend this search to include skill based fitness training such as aerial work as well as the original gym based fitness. 

It has been interesting to see how new areas of research have developed from my initial ideas and how these are helping me to further inform both my research report and my future professional practice. 

Have you found that your inquiry has sparked new questions or avenues to explore?

Module 3...

Summer has flown by already and I am so excited to get stuck into my final module of the BAPP course!

I have spent some time reflecting on my feedback from Module Two and have set myself goals and targets for the new term. The two main areas that I need to focus on are the theoretical framework and ethical issues of my inquiry. I am going to spend time this week looking for literature to read that will help me to discover more about these two areas. 

I have already read through and highlighted the Module Three handbook and plan to re-read this again before starting this terms work. I am also going to read through my practice-based inquiry proposal from the previous module with fresh eyes to determine if any areas of my plan need to be amended. 

I have printed off a copy of my Gantt Chart to stick in the front of my file in order to constantly reference it and ensure that I stay on track.

I always find feedback to be a great source of motivation. Being a professional dancer and going through vocational training has allowed me to take constructive criticism in a positive way to help grow and develop my work. It has enabled me to be the dancer that I am today and through the process of the BAPP course I am now building and developing myself in different areas. 

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?