Fall Prevention For Seniors: Ballet For Improving Balance | Ballet Science Podcast Ep. 3

Описание: Join Caroline Simpkins, former professional ballerina and researcher, for the final episode of our three-part series on ballet and fall prevention. In this episode, we explore how recreational ballet helps older adults improve balance, reduce fall risk, and respond more quickly to unexpected slips.

Learn about the neurobiomechanical mechanisms behind ballet training, including recovery steps, trunk control, and muscle activation, and discover why dance could be a fun and effective approach to fall prevention.

What you'll learn in this episode:
🎯 How ballet dancers outperform non-dancers in slip recovery
🎯 The importance of backward recovery steps and trunk control
🎯 EMG findings showing faster muscle responses in dancers
🎯 How recreational ballet can help older adults stay steady on their feet
🎯 Practical insights for adults of all ages interested in dance-based exercise

Whether you’re a dancer, teacher, or just curious about movement science, this episode shows how ballet isn’t just art... it’s science that can help you move safely at any age.

📌 Check out parts 1 & 2 of this series for the full picture on ballet and fall prevention.
Part 1:    • Fall Prevention For Seniors: How Ballet Tr...  
Part 2:    • Fall Prevention & Ballet: How Dancers Reco...  

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Publications discussed in this episode:
Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2024). Ballet practice improves neuromuscular and biomechanical responses to an unexpected standing-slip in older adults. Journal of Neurophysiology, 132(4), 1115-1125.⁠⁠ https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00219.2024

Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2025). Recreational older ballet dancers adapt faster to repeated standing-slips than older non-dancers. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 101950.⁠⁠ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2025.1...

Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2025). Recreational older ballet dancers fall less with more effective reactive balance control than non-dancers after a slip during gait. Experimental Brain Research, 243(3), 75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-025-07...

Timestamps:
00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome & 3-Part Ballet + Fall Prevention Series Recap
01:54 – 🧓 Why Falls Matter: Impact On Health, Cost & Quality Of Life
03:40 – 💃 Dance & Ballet As Fun, Effective Fall-Prevention Exercise
06:16 – 🧪 Study Design: Ballet Training & Falls In Older Adults
08:07 – 📹 3D Motion Capture Lab Setup & Equipment Overview
09:06 – 🧊 How We Simulated Standing & Walking Slips On A Treadmill
11:59 – ⚡ Reaction vs Adaptation: Key Concepts For Balance Recovery
13:11 – 🪂 Using A Harness Load Cell To Measure “Real” Falls
14:01 – 📉 Results: First Standing Slip – Ballet Dancers vs Non-Dancers
16:05 – 📈 Results: Adaptation Across Repeated Standing Slips
17:39 – 🚶‍♀️ Results: First Gait Slip During Walking
18:41 – 🧠 Summary: Older Ballet Dancers Outperform Active Non-Dancers
21:15 – 💪 What Elements Of Ballet Training Might Explain These Benefits?
21:50 – 🗓️ Ballet Class Frequency, Years Of Training & Other Activities
24:26 – ⚠️ Study Limitations & Considerations For Future Research
25:47 – 🎯 Big Picture: Ballet Training As A Tool For Fall Prevention
27:03 – 📚 Publications, Acknowledgments & Closing The Fall Series
28:17 – 🙏 Thank You For Listening, Weekly Topics & How To Stay Connected

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