Dance Science Resources

Dance science is still very much in it's infancy and as such steady sources of reliable information - whether peer-reviewed research, journals, books, magazines or websites - can be hard to come by. As a dance educator, facilitator, choreographer, director, or artist, you have a duty of care to yourself and to those you work with, and the most important part of that is educating yourself.

Below is a short, non-exhaustive list of some of the most useful resources for reliable dance science information; some are dance-specific, others are more general in areas of sport, exercise or health but all are applicable and useful to those working within dance.


Organisations

International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS)
The premier worldwide organisation for dance medicine and dance science, IADMS promotes health, well-being, training, and performance of dancers by cultivating educational, medical, and scientific excellence. The annual conference is the pinnacle of the dance science calendar, bringing together researchers and practitioners at the forefront of dance medicine and science. IADMS also published the quarterly Journal of Dance Medicine and Science.

Dance UK
UK based organisation aiming to improve the conditions in which dance is created, performed and experienced. Dance UK run a Healthier Dancer Programme, working to improve the physical and psychological health and well being of dancers, and run a biennial Healthier Dancer Conference. The website includes a directory of dance-specialist medical practitioners and speakers list for Healthier Dancer lectures among other resources


Books

The Fit and Healthy Dancer - Yiannis Koutedakis and Craig Sharp
The Fit and Healthy Dancer should be on all dancers' bookshelves. It is accessible, authoritative and covers all aspects of dance physiology, health, fitness, injury prevention and training.
I was lucky enough to study under Yiannis during my postgraduate studies, he is one of the world's foremost researchers in dance science, a former professional dancer, Olympic rower, Olympic coach, was one of the founders of the British Olympic Medical Centre and has had an illustrious career as a sport and exercise physiology researcher.   Craig Sharp was one of the pioneers of Sports Science in the UK, he founded the Birmingham Human Motor Performance Laboratory and along with Yiannis was a founder of the British Olympic Medical Centre. Between them they cover all aspects of dance and exercise physiology, bringing decades of professional and academic knowledge to the discipline of dance.

Anatomy, Dance Technique and Injury Prevention - Justin Howse and Moira McCormack
Written by Moira McCormack - physiotherapist for the Royal Ballet and the late Justin Howse, Orthopaedic Consultant to the Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet and the RAD, this book provides an over view of causes of injury in dance, with an emphasis on prevention but with consideration of treatment and rehabilitation.

Journals

Journal of Dance Medicine and Science
Official quarterly journal run by IADMS

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Official journal of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Numerous dance-specific articles have been published in the JSCR, as well as a host of strength and conditioning research that will be of interest to dancers.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
International journal publishing original peer-reviewed research across all areas of sport and exercise science and medicine.

Websites
Pubmed - biomedical research searchable database
Examine - research backed information on supplements and nutrition
Harkness Centre for Dance Injuries - as well as information on the Centre, the website has a range of useful resources

Olivia (c) Peddecord Photography 2010