Body Systems in Ballet

Alexandria C.Ms. Lowery

Science PresentationFebruary 9, 2015

Body Systems in Ballet

Muscular System -

•Of all the body systems, the two main ones involved in ballet are the muscular and skeletal systems.

•The first main body system that is involved in ballet is the muscular system, which includes quadriceps andhamstrings. (muscles in your leg.)

•Ballet dancersdevelop strong quadriceps, the muscles that help with full knee extension and hip flexion.

•At the same time, dancers understand the functional advantage of deep knee bends. The plie – or knee bend – is a basic move in ballet, and every time a dancer bends her knees into plie, her hamstrings contract.

•Consequently, a dancer's hamstrings become increasingly strong and powerful as she progresses in her training.

Body Systems in Ballet

Muscular System -

•The turnout of the legs at the hip socket is also a key element of classical ballet technique.

•Dancers use their external hip rotator and gluteal (bottom) muscles to rotate their legs outward and to sustain that rotation during leg extensions, leaps and turns.

• Ballet dancers learn to engage these muscles regularly to maintain their turnout, whether they are standing in basic first position at the barre, holding a difficult pose, pushing off from the floor in a jump or traveling across the floor.

•With consistent effort, dancers who work to increase their turnout develop strong external rotator and gluteal (bottom) muscles.

Body Systems in Ballet

Skeletal System -

•The second important body system to ballet dancers is skeletal, because it helps with posture, which is always a god sign of a great ballet dancer.

•The skeletal system is also important because a lot of injuries among ballet dancers happen to their lower leg, ankle and foot.

•Ways to prevent these injuries are to make sure a ballet dancer is using the right techniques, equipment and is training the right way.

•A ballet dancer’s feet must be very strong as well as have flexibility in his or her spine (backbone) and neck.

Body Systems in Ballet

Another important body system important to ballet dancers is the digestive system.

Ballet dancers need protein and lots of fruit and vegetables in their diet to help their digestive system.

They maintain a strict diet so they can be very slender. This way it is easier for the male ballet dancers to pick up the female ballet dancers during leaps and turns.

They always have healthy snacks with them so they will have enough energy while training or practicing.

Digestive System –

Body Systems in Ballet

A healthy digestive system, comes from a healthy diet and prevents ballet dancers from having tummy aches.

Ballet dancers need to stay away for fatty foods, at all times.

Instead they should eat healthy foods, such as, fish and carrots.

To help with a healthy digestive system, ballet dancers should not eat greasy foods.

These types of foods do not provide ballet dancers with the energy they will need to dance.

Digestive System –

Body Systems in Ballet

Websites Cited:

LiveStrong.com

The Science of Dance.com

The Classical Girl.com