Fall Prevention & Ballet: How Dancers Recover from Unexpected Slips | Ballet Science Podcast Ep. 2

Описание: In this episode (Part 2 of 3), we dive into the pilot study Dr. Caroline Simpkins conducted on fall prevention in professional ballet dancers.

We explore:
🎯 How ballet dancers respond to unexpected standing slips
🎯 Differences between dancers and non-dancers in balance, trunk control, and recovery steps
🎯 What a pilot study is and why it’s important for larger research
🎯 How ballet training may enhance reactive balance and reduce fall risk

This research provides early evidence that ballet training strengthens stability, trunk control, and adaptive balance responses, which could benefit anyone at risk of falls, including older adults.

📌 Next episode (Part 3): We’ll apply these findings to older adult ballet dancers and share insights from my dissertation research on ballet for fall prevention across the lifespan. Watch here:    • Fall Prevention For Seniors: Ballet For Im...  

🎧 Watch Part 1 first if you haven’t already, to understand the foundations of ballet and fall prevention:    • Fall Prevention For Seniors: How Ballet Tr...  

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Publications discussed in this episode:
Simpkins, C., Ahn, J., Shin, S., & Yang, F. (2022). Recovery from an unexpected standing-slip in professional ballet dancers. Journal of Biomechanics, 145, 111366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.20...

Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2023). Adaptation to repeated standing-slips in professional ballet dancers. Journal of biomechanics, 152, 111572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.20...

Timestamps:
00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome & 3-Part Ballet + Fall Prevention Series Overview
01:33 – 🧠 Fall Prevention Research Meets Ballet Training
02:42 – 🧪 What Is A Pilot Study & Why Start With Young Adults?
04:11 – 🎯 Study Aim & Hypothesis: Do Ballet Dancers Slip Differently?
04:46 – 👥 Participants: Professional Ballet Dancers vs Active Non-Dancers
06:01 – 📹 Motion Capture Lab Setup & Reflective Marker Placement
06:53 – 🧊 Slip Treadmill, Safety Harness & Real-Life Slip Simulation
08:31 – ⏱️ Trial Structure: Non-Slip vs Slip Perturbations Explained
09:36 – 🚶‍♀️ Recovery Stepping: Onset, Liftoff & Touchdown Events
10:12 – ⚡ Reaction vs Adaptation: How We Learn From Repeated Slips
12:20 – 📉 Results: First Slip – Dancers’ Stability, Step Size & Trunk Control
13:24 – 📈 Results: Adaptation Across Five Slips – Faster Reactive Control In Dancers
14:21 – 🔁 Why Backward Stepping & One-Leg Balance Matter For Fall Prevention
15:39 – 🧍‍♀️ Trunk Control, Core Engagement & Ballet Posture Advantages
17:30 – ⚠️ Study Limitations & Directions For Future Ballet + Falls Research
19:38 – 🎯 Conclusions: Early Evidence That Ballet May Reduce Slip-Related Falls
21:24 – 🔜 Preview: Slip Simulations In Older Adult Ballet Dancers (Dissertation Study)
22:13 – 🙏 Thank You For Listening & How To Stay Connected With Ballet Science

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we will explore the intersection of science and ballet, from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Logo Photo Credit: Richard Calmes