As announced in March, until August we will be sharing select presentations from our 2020 iConference; free and open access here on the IADMS blog and on our eLearning page. Each month will focus on one of our iConference themes: Dance for Health (March), Dance Medicine (April), Dance Research (May), Interactive/Movement (June), Dance Education (July), and Dance Science (August). 

Presentations will only be available for the specified month, so be sure to share them with your colleagues and friends while you can! All presentations from the 2020 iConference remain available for IADMS members via the IADMS app until September 15 2021. 

This month we have two presentations from the ‘Dance Science’ theme. We also asked the presenters some questions regarding their experiences of being involved in our 2020 iConference.

Physiological demands of musical theatre

Stephanie Pittman BSc, MSc

Video no longer available on this platform. IADMS members still have access to all iConference presentations until September 15 2021 via the IADMS app.

1. What was your motivation for being part of the IADMS iConference2020?

I wanted to participate in the IADMS iConference 2020 as I thought it would be a great way to connect with people in dance science and dance medicine while we were all isolated during quarantine.  While I would have loved to travel to Japan, the conference was a great way to still feel like a part of the dance science community. 

2. Could you outline the main topic/theme/exploration of your iConference presentation and why this is important for the dance sector/health professionals? 

My IADMS iConference 2020 research presentation explores the physiological demands of musical theatre by comparing three different conditions: singing, dancing, and singing while dancing. This study found that oxygen consumption (VO₂) was significantly higher in the first minute of the dance routine for singing while dancing versus dancing alone, which could indicate that performers who are singing while dancing could be performing at a higher intensity for a longer time. Oxygen consumption peaked immediately following a high intensity dance break, which could suggest that singing after an intense dance break could be an added challenge for performers. Breathing frequency was lower for the singing while dancing condition versus dancing alone, which could impact oxygen uptake. 

3. What are the key ‘take-home’ messages from your presentation that the dance sector/dance health professionals should be aware of? 

These findings are important for the dance sector as musical theater performers should consider improving their aerobic capacity to prepare for the demands of their field and choreographers may want to consider the possible added demands of singing when designing a piece. 

4. Could you tell us what you enjoyed the most about iConference2020 as either a presenter or attendee? 

The part that I enjoyed most about the IADMS iConference was that I could participate in everything offered! During the normal conferences, there is so much happening at the same time that I would have to make choices about what to participate in. I have definitely enjoyed being able to watch different presentations throughout the year and participate in the different live Zoom events.

The relationship between perceptual and neuromuscular fatigue in elite adolescent ballet dancers.

Matthew Lamarque MSc, MRes 

Video no longer available on this platform. IADMS members still have access to all iConference presentations until September 15 2021 via the IADMS app.

1. What was your motivation for being part of the IADMS iConference2020?

I wanted to be a part of the IADMS iConference2020 to contribute to the growing body of dance science and medicine research. In a time of deep uncertainty, it was great to be part of an industry that was collectively pulling together to support each other and share education.

2. Could you outline the main topic/theme/exploration of your iConference presentation and why this is important for the dance sector/health professionals?   

The main theme of this presentation is fatigue monitoring in classical ballet dancers. With so much known about the risks of overtraining, and more research being disseminated on training workloads in classical ballet, it is important for dance health professionals to be able to monitor fatigue within dancers as sensitively as possible.

3. What are the key ‘take-home’ messages from your presentation that the dance sector/dance health professionals should be aware of?

Neuromuscular fatigue was affected by increased changes in weekly training loads in adolescent classical ballet dancers. Vertical jump height, amongst other jump-related variables, was sensitive to fatigue and decreased when training loads were higher. This research also identified that perceptual or perceived fatigue and muscle soreness wasn’t sensitive to fatigue within this population.

4. Could you tell us what you enjoyed the most about iConference2020 as either a presenter or attendee? 

As a presenter, it was great to see so much engagement and interaction with the iConference on social media.