Transcript Body Systems in Ballet - cooklowery14-15

Body Systems in Ballet
The Sport of Ballet Dancing
Alexandria C.
Ms. Lowery
Science Presentation
February 13, 2015
Body Systems in Ballet
 Muscular System -
•The first body system that is involved in ballet is the
muscular system, which includes quadriceps and
hamstrings. (muscles in your leg.)
•Ballet dancers develop 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 skeletal system helps with posture, which is
always a good 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
Digestive System –
 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.
Body Systems in Ballet
Digestive System –
 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.
Body Systems in Ballet
Circulatory System –
• As ballet dancers dance, their hearts begin to beat
faster, increasing the blood flow to their muscles.
•As the blood is pumped through their bodies at a
quicker pace, more oxygen is delivered to their
muscles.
• Additionally, rapid blood flow helps remove any
metabolic waste from their cells. Metabolic waste is
what is left over after cells create energy.
• Substances like excess water, and carbon dioxide
need to be carried away from the cells and
eliminated from the body. The circulatory system
helps with this.
Body Systems in Ballet
Respiratory System –
• The main role of the respiratory system is to bring
fresh air into the body and to get rid of waste gases.
•The short-term benefits include, an increase in
breathing rate and tidal volume (which is the amount of
air inhaled or exhaled from the lungs in one breath)
which is a good thing, as the more clean, fresh oxygen
breathed, the better the ballet dancer feels, both inside
and out.
•Some of the long-term benefits include an
improvement of the respiration by strengthening the
diaphragm and inter-costal muscles (the tiny muscles in
between the ribcage which aid in breathing) as well as
increasing the total number of alveoli (the tiny air-filled
sacs where gas exchange occurs).
Body Systems in Ballet
Nervous System –
•The study of ballet relies on the central nervous system,
composed of the brain and spinal cord, provides functional
support to a dancer.
•The motor system allows for both movement planning
and execution.
• Cognitive aspects of the brain provide a dancer with the
motivation and memory necessary to perfect and perform
movement.
•The activation of multiple central nervous system motor
and sensory systems allows for the masterful execution
and finesse associated with ballet.
Body Systems in Ballet
Immune System –
The following are important to a ballet dancer’s
immune system:
Protein - is essential to building and healing muscle. But
it’s also a powerhouse for repairing bones, improving
muscle contraction, maintaining fluid balance and
restoring collagen, which is part of connective tissues
such as tendons and ligaments.
Vitamin D – Yogurt and fortified milk are good food
sources of vitamin D, as well as, tuna and salmon, and
the yolks of eggs.
Vitamin C - Is a master healer, aiding everything from
the rebuilding of ankle ligaments after a sprain to the
repairing of skin wounds, like blisters.
Body Systems in Ballet
Websites Cited:
 LiveStrong.com
 PointeMagazine.com
 TheClassicalGirl.com
 TheHealthyDancer.blogspot.com
 TheScienceofDance.com
The Sport of Ballet Dancing