Dancing Through the Pain

Paper Summary:

This is a research paper that discusses ballet dancers and their unique take on dancing despite the pain. It focuses on both the physiological and psychological aspects. The paper explores the dancer's motivation and rates of injury based on psychological pressures. This paper does not offer recommendations on preventing injury, but highlights the motivation of dancers to continue to work despite the injury and risk of further damage.

From the Paper:

"In a five-year study of the Boston Ballet Company 77-94% of the dancers were injured during the dance year (Solomon, Solomon, Micheli and McGray, 164), with rates of injuries for 59-70 dancers at 96-137. Thus, the average in their study was 116.5 injuries for 64.5 dancers; or roughly 1.8 injuries per dancer per year. The Solomon group reports that the financial cost to the Ballet Company averaged over half a million dollars per year; at its highest reported for year two of the study, the cost was $974,087. Professional ballet dancers endure a grueling, painful life of injury, starvation and other health issues, and finally disease in later life; yet still they thrive for their art form. Professional ballet dancers continue to perform despite their injuries; for their art form."

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