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The risks associated with classical ballet are those commonly found in high-impact activities, although they specifically relate to movements done in ballet. As with other athletes, dancers run the risk of becoming injured within the course of their career. Since ballet is also a performance art with high emphasis on aesthetics, ballet dancers are also at a higher risk to develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

Contents 1 Injuries 2 Stress 2.1 Cigarette smoking among dancers 3 References

[edit] Injuries

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Many ballet movements, such as turning out the hips and rising on the toes, go beyond the natural range of human movement and can place unhealthy stress on the body when not performed correctly. 80 percent of professional dancers will be injured in some way during their careers; 50 percent of dancers from large ballet companies and 40 percent from small companies will miss performances due to injury<ref>Machleder, Elaine (2000). Avoiding Injury: It’s A Science. Dance Spirit Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-05-23.</ref>. The greatest risk in ballet for injury is learning or executing technique wrong. The practice of "pliéing" (bending one's knees deeply) after landing each jump may seem innocuous, but failing to do so may result in shin splints or knee injuries. Other injuries may be caused by overwork or by dancing in less-than-ideal circumstances, such as on a hard floor, in a cold studio or theater, or without having had sufficient time to warm up the muscles.

In order to minimize injury, teachers of ballet will begin with strength building and habit-forming basics. As damage may result from having a student perform movements for which they are not prepared, care must be taken that the student is not "pushed". A dancer put en pointe at an age where her bones have not completely ossified may develop permanent damage; even past the point of ossification, ankle injuries can result if a dance goes on pointe without sufficient strength.

[edit] Stress

Professional ballet dancers may have difficulty finding security and sufficient pay within a job. The average income for a ballet dancer is around six hundred dollars per week<ref>Occupational Overview for Dancers and Choreographers. College Compass.</ref>, and competition for jobs is very high. In addition to the stress that may be caused by this, dancers also may experience the psychological distress of a desire to be technically and physically "perfect".

As with other activities (such as horse jockeying) where weight is a factor, dancers are at a higher risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia <ref>Maloney MJ. "Anorexia nervosa and bulimia in dancers. Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.". PubMed. PMID: 6580964. Retrieved on 2006-05-23.</ref>. Many believe in the misconception that the ideal dancer must be excessively thin, and may latch on to this principle and begin controlling their diets, sometimes obsessively <ref>"Adolescent ballet school students: their quest for body weight change.". PubMed. PMID: 9636944. Retrieved on 2006-05-23.</ref>. Such dancers, as well as misunderstanding teachers and directors who may encourage weight loss, are unaware of or choose to ignore the fact that an excessively underweight dancer will not have the strength required for ballet and is at a higher risk for injuries and long-term health problems.

[edit] Cigarette smoking among dancers

Many are familiar with the stereotype of dancers smoking to control weight or alleviate stress. Although this is often not the case, in a survey of 300 professional dancers, 40% were smokers, contrasted with the Center for Disease Control average of 24% of women and 29% of men aged 18-34<ref>Why Do Dancers Smoke? (PDF) (February 2005). Retrieved on 2006-10-05.</ref>.

[edit] References