Back to Basics: 3 Injury Prevention Tips for Dancers

By Athletico Physical Therapy

As summer starts winding down, dancers are getting ready to transition to the fall program season. Preparing for the season?s big shows means long hours spent at rehearsals on top of other responsibilities, such as academics, work and household duties.

During this time of year, it can be easy to overlook some of the fundamentals of injury prevention when trying to fit in a rehearsal into a busy schedule. However, this is the time when the basics like proper warm up and nutrition matter the most. To help dancers minimize the risk of injury and stay ready for their big shows, we are highlighting three basic injury prevention tips below:

1. Warm Up

To minimize the risk of injury during practices and performances, dancers should incorporate dynamic warm-ups into their training routine. Dynamic warm-ups increase heart rate and get the blood flowing so that the muscles become more pliable and able to stretch. This helps prime the body for physical exertion and minimizes the risk of injury to muscles or joints. A few examples of dynamic warm-ups include body weight squats, jumping jacks, and forward and backward lunges.

Learn more about dynamic warm-ups, as well as cooling down after activity, by reading ?Warming Up vs Cooling Down: Things to Know.?

2. Cross Train

Although technique training is important, dancers should also consider adding cross training into their routine to improve endurance, strength and flexibility. Swimming or biking are activities that can help improve endurance, while?strength training?can improve muscular fitness. Additionally, incorporating exercises like Pilates into training can help dancers improve flexibility, balance and core stability.

3. Maintain Healthy Habits

In order to be in peak condition, dancers should focus on their general health in addition to their training. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Since dancers don?t typically have an off-season, they are more likely to experience altered sleep-wake rhythms, which can increase the risk of illness and musculoskeletal injuries. For tips on how to get better sleep, read ?Eat, Sleep, Dance, Repeat: The Importance of Sleep for Dancers.?

These three tips can help both experienced and novice dancers keep their bodies healthy to minimize the risk of injury during practices and performances. Should an injury occur, make sure to schedule an appointment at a nearby Athletico location so our team can help you heal.