Journal of Dance Medicine & Science最新文献

{"title":"Psychological Stressors and Coping Experiences in Indian Classical Dancers.","authors":"Kavya Jain, Ashwini Govinda","doi":"10.1177/1089313X261484386","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1089313X261484386","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Indian classical dance (ICD) is a popular and highly structured art form that encompasses mime, choreographed movements, and rhythmic footwork along with traditionally influenced cultural practices which affect the overall psychological health of dancers. Although it is known that dance enhances emotional well-being, the literature investigating the mental health of ICD practitioners (ie, resilience, challenges, and coping) is scarce. This research studies how ICD influences dancers' emotional well-being and resilience, the mental health challenges they face, and the coping mechanisms they use. It also examines various cultural and training practices which shape the above factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Guided by an interpretivist paradigm and inspired by the Biopsychosocial Model and Resilience Theory, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth narratives from 12 Indian classical dancers aged 18 and above. Participants were from different ICD styles identified through purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dancers described ICD as enhancing their emotional expression and regulation, inner balance, and resilience through disciplined practices and a continuous cycle of practice and performance. But they also described serious mental health challenges, including pressure to perform and be perfect, power battles for control and inadequate support in balancing dance with other aspects of their lives. Cultural expectations and practice of devotional acts provided both support and added pressure. Participants used a range of coping mechanisms, such as expressive movement, spiritual engagement, community and teacher support, reflective practices, and personal regulatory strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ICD works as a system that affects the dancers in a dual manner, as its rigorous training and cultural expectations can cause psychological and physical stress, but its expressive, spiritual, and community-supporting aspects serve as significant tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and emotional well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"1089313X261484386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recreational Ballet Practice Is Associated with Improved Fall Risk Factors in Older Adults.","authors":"Caroline Simpkins, Jiyun Ahn, Feng Yang","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251380085","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251380085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Falls are a serious health concern with severe consequences in older adults. Various physical and cognitive functions are related to falls in older adults. Although studies have indicated that well-controlled ballet-based interventions could lead to physical and cognitive improvements in older adults, it remains unknown if and how recreational ballet practice in an unstandardized environment could also reap health benefits. This cross-sectional study examined the fall risk among recreational older ballet dancers relative to their non-dancer counterparts. <b>Methods:</b> Forty-three older adults aged 55 and older were recruited: 20 ballet dancers and 23 age- and sex-matched non-dancers. Fall risk was assessed through fall history (over the previous 12 months), physical function (Five-Time Sit-to-Stand test, Timed-Up-and-Go test, leg muscle strength, and physical activity level), and cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). <b>Results:</b> The retrospective falls were similar between groups (<i>P</i> = 0.704). However, dancers were faster than non-dancers to perform the Five-Time Sit-to-Stand (<i>P</i> < 0.001) and Timed-Up-and-Go (<i>P</i> = 0.003) tests. They also exhibited stronger knee extensors (<i>P</i> = 0.010) and ankle plantarflexors (<i>P</i> = 0.031) than non-dancers. Dancers were more physically active (<i>P</i> < 0.001). No group difference was detected for cognition score (<i>P</i> = 0.205). <b>Conclusions:</b> The results suggest that older adults who practice ballet recreationally show better dynamic balance with stronger and more powerful leg muscles compared to non-dancers. Dancers were also more physically active than non-dancers. The findings augment our understanding of ballet's effects on improving physical functions in different environments and could help apply ballet as an intervention to prevent falls in older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"379-386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145349242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wearable Biosensors to Monitor Workload in Dancers: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Kelley R Wiese, Jatin P Ambegaonkar, Joel Martin, Sarah J Kenny, Jena Hansen-Honeycutt, Prachi Pisay, Angela Miller","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251381860","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251381860","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Dancers are aesthetic athletes with high workloads similar to sport athletes. Wearable biosensors are used in athletics to assess workload and inform training decisions to optimize performance and reduce fatigue and injury risk. While workload monitoring methods in dancers have been systematically reviewed, limited research specifically examines using wearable biosensors for this purpose. Thus, this study aims to systematically review how wearable biosensors are used to monitor workload in dancers. <b>Methods:</b> Following PRISMA guidelines, 8 databases were searched by 2 authors. Articles were included if participants were current dancers, workload was assessed during dance activity by wearable biosensors, and published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. Dancer characteristics (age, sex, anthropometrics, years dancing, training level, dance style) and methods (sessions, variables, setting, biosensor) were extracted and synthesized in an Excel synthesis matrix. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklists were used to assess the risk of bias. <b>Results:</b> 35 of 119 potentially relevant studies were included. Heart rate (HR) monitors (25 studies) and accelerometers (12 studies) were primarily used. 24 studies (69%) examined only objective workload and 23 studies (66%) examined internal workload. The most common dependent variable was HR (25 studies). The duration of data collection ranged between 1 and 49 days, with 26% of studies (n = 9) using a single day. High-level (14 studies) female (74.7%; n = 1342) ballet dancers (45.7%; n = 16 studies) were most assessed. Risk of bias was fair-to-moderate across studies. <b>Conclusions:</b> This systematic review highlights 4 primary trends across previous literature assessing workload in dancers using wearable biosensors to inform future research. First, HR monitors, followed by accelerometers, are the most common wearable biosensors used to quantify workload in dancers. Second, most studies only evaluated objective physiological (internal) workload, primarily using HR variables. Third, data were primarily collected within a timeframe of 1 to 3 days. Finally, high-level female ballet dancers were predominantly assessed.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"479-492"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145490693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Injuries in Breaking: An Overview and Synthesis of Case Reports and Letters to the Editor.","authors":"Hana Brborović, Sophie Manuela Lindner, Ognjen Brborović, Luise Weinrich","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251380406","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251380406","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Breaking, also known as breakdancing, has evolved from street culture to a structured sport, debuting in the 2024 Olympics. Despite its popularity, limited data exists on injury prevalence, types, and risk factors associated with acute and overuse injuries sustained from breaking. While existing studies offer insights into common injury patterns, they provide limited analysis of the specific mechanisms behind these injuries. This overview aims to classify acute and overuse injuries in breaking, reviewing 50 years of literature to identify risk factors and high-risk movements. <b>Methods:</b> The overview followed a predefined protocol using the PICO framework and was registered at OSF, targeting case reports and letters to the editor involving breakers. Databases searched included PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and EBSCO, covering literature from the 1970s to December 2023. Inclusion criteria were strictly case reports and letters to the editor that focused on injuries sustained from breaking. <b>Results:</b> A total of 41 papers were selected for inclusion after screening, reading and data extraction. Among these, 36 papers were reviewed in detail, encompassing acute and overuse injuries. The reported injuries involve high-impact movements, particularly affecting the upper extremities, head, neck, and back during spins, balancing, landing, and sliding. Acute injuries included fractures and dislocations, while chronic conditions involved soft tissue injuries, stress fractures, and nerve compressions. Risk factors identified in case reports included the lack of training supervision and specific breaking maneuvers like flips, spins, and balancing acts. <b>Conclusion:</b> This is the first overview of case reports and letters to the editor that categorizes breaking injuries based on these types of papers. It demonstrates the value of detailed medical diagnoses and standardized injury classification compared to self-reported injury data commonly found in surveys. Gaining a deeper understanding of injury mechanisms and risk factors could help promote safer practices as breaking continues to evolve as a competitive sport.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"466-478"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chair Freeze, a Basic Posture in Breaking, Exerts Over 1.5 Times the Contact Pressure Concentrating on the Radial Half of the Palm Compared to Handstand.","authors":"Takashi Tsuda, Hiroshi Kiyomatsu, Tomofumi Kinoshita, Masaki Takao","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251347442","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251347442","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Excessive contact forces on the hands during breaking can potentially cause a high injury incidence. Chair freeze is a basic posture unique to breaking; however, its effect on the hands remains unclear. Clarifying dancer-specific factors is essential for preventing trauma and overuse injuries. This study aimed to investigate the contact load and pressure on the hands during chair freeze and their determinants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>15 professional breakers were recruited. The peak landed load per bodyweight and contact pressure were measured using thin-film pressure sensors in the chair freeze and handstand postures. The location of the highest pressure was also assessed. The following possible factors of load and pressure were assessed: age, height, weight, body mass index, hand axis, practice duration, and grip strength.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Load per bodyweight and pressure were significantly higher in the chair freeze than in the handstand (0.69 bodyweight vs 0.47 bodyweight and 247.1 kPa vs 155.8 kPa; <i>P</i> < .0001 and <i>P</i> < .0001, respectively). In 14 of 15 dancers (93.3%), the highest pressure was concentrated on the radial side of the palm during chair freeze. Body height and weight were significantly correlated with load per bodyweight and pressure in chair freeze (ρ = 0.55, 0.57, 0.54, and 0.59; <i>P</i> = .036, .028, .038, and .020, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Load per bodyweight and pressure on the landed hand was 1.5- to 1.6-fold higher during the chair freeze than during the handstand, concentrating on the radial side of the palm. Dancers' body size was associated with the contact force on the hand in the chair freeze.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"234-243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dancing Through Menopause: 16-Week Jazz Dance Program Reduces Stress, Not Urogenital Symptoms.","authors":"Julia Beatriz Bocchi Martins, Danielly Yani Fausto, Juliana da Silveira, Inês Marques Aleixo, Clarissa Medeiros da Luz, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimaraes","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251362309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251362309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> There is an ongoing search for evidence based on unconventional modalities that can treat the physical and psychological symptoms resulting from menopause. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Jazz Dance, compared to the control group, on stress, urinary incontinence, and sexual function in menopausal women in the short and long term, as well as to investigate stress as a predictor of sexual function and urinary incontinence. <b>Methods:</b> Two-arm randomized clinical trial (Jazz Dance Intervention Group (JDIG) (n = 23) and Control Group (CG) (n = 24)) with 47 women (53.41 ± 2.8 years). Data collection was carried out at four timepoints: <i>baseline</i>, post-intervention, and 6-month and 12-month <i>follow-ups.</i> The instruments used were the <i>Female Sexual Function Index</i> (FSFI); Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and <i>International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form</i> (ICIQ-SF). <b>Results:</b> Positive results over time were found in the JDIG for stress (<i>P</i> = .030) and sexual function in the domains of satisfaction (<i>P</i> = .041), desire (<i>P</i> = .018), and orgasm (<i>P</i> = .033) in the long term. Stress was a predictor of sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. <b>Discussion:</b> Jazz Dance is a effective, and low-cost modality for managing stress. For sexual function, the benefits need to be looked at in the long term, and this modality does not seem to be an effective management alternative for urinary incontinence.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"322-332"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144973779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of a Barre Exercise Intervention for Individuals with Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease.","authors":"Allison M Haussler, Lauren E Tueth, Gammon M Earhart","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251342623","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251342623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> In conjunction with medication, exercise is key for managing Parkinson disease (PD) related motor symptoms. Barre is an exercise modality that combines elements of classical ballet with strength training, involving high repetitions of low impact movements. Barre is accessible and may address documented barriers to exercise for people with PD such as fear of falling, lack of enjoyment, and lack of social support. To our knowledge, there is no previous literature on the effects of barre for PD. Therefore, this study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel barre exercise intervention. <b>Methods:</b> Individuals with mild to moderate PD were recruited to participate in a barre exercise class. The intervention consisted of twice-weekly, 45-minute group exercise classes for 12 weeks. Feasibility benchmarks included attendance, retention, and acceptability. Balance, gait, and functional strength assessments were carried out pre- and post-intervention to explore preliminary motor trends. Participants also completed a quality of life survey and a qualitative exit interview. <b>Results:</b> Eleven individuals completed the intervention. All three feasibility benchmarks were met. Participants had high attendance (70-100% of classes offered), high retention (84.6%), and reported that the class quality was excellent and generally met their needs. While most motor outcomes changed little pre- to post-intervention, gait outcomes (speed, distance on 2MWT) did improve. Exit interview themes surrounding what participants liked best about the program included comradery, support, and that the class was specific to PD, with 82% of participants indicating that they would re-enroll if the class was offered in a community setting. <b>Conclusion:</b> Engaging in barre exercise may be a safe, feasible way to meet exercise guidelines for PD. Future controlled studies should explore the clinical efficacy of barre for improving balance, gait, and functional strength in larger samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"224-233"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144295102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Consecutive Single-Leg Relevés Results in Altered Movement Pattern and Dorsiflexor and Plantarflexor Muscle Fatigue.","authors":"Miranda Aman, James Brouner","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251347440","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251347440","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study investigated how muscle activation and movement altered as a result of dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscle fatigue in dancers during single-leg relevés.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>14 participants with current or recent experience in dance performed 10 single-leg relevés before and after a fatigue protocol at a set tempo of 46 beats per minute. The pre-fatigue and post-fatigue differences were assessed via surface electromyography of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior during the ascending and descending phases. Kinematic data was obtained and assessed using 3D motion capture technology.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences in muscle activation occurred from pre-fatigue to post-fatigue during the ascending phase. However, there was a significant increase in activation during the descending phase in both the soleus (<i>P</i> = .020) and lateral gastrocnemius (<i>P</i> = .028). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in ankle range of motion (<i>P</i> = .004) and heel height achieved (<i>P</i> = .006) from pre-fatigue to post-fatigue. There was also a significant decrease in ankle dorsiflexion (<i>P</i> < .001) and plantarflexion (<i>P</i> = .014) post-fatigue.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, ankle plantarflexor fatigue results in an inability to maintain movement despite increased muscle activation. Future research could support in validating the findings that dancers should limit working past or near fatigue, as it could lead to increased mechanical compensations which increase the risk of injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"244-250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144327223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Review of Musculoskeletal Dance Screening Tests in Collegiate Dancers: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study.","authors":"Monique DeLuca Watson, Andrea N Lasner, Nicole Hada","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251358325","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251358325","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Amongst dance programs, mitigating the risk of injury using comprehensive screening tests is essential. Currently, the lack of standardization for tests/measurements in screening methodology poses as the main barrier to building more effective, future screening programs for dancers. Our objective is to fill critical gaps in the existing literature on dancer screening by producing normative data, describing screening outcome changes amongst a dancer's college career, and providing guidance to building similar screening programs. <b>Methods:</b> This original quantitative study establishes normative data found in six tests (the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Beighton Scale, Harvard Step Test, Y-Balance Test, Sagittal & Frontal Plane Core Stability (Plank Testing), and Turnout Test) within the DanceFIT Injury Prevention Screen collected from Dance Performance and Choreography-major students at a university over the course of ten years. Exploratory data analysis, including Cronbach's alpha, principal components analysis (PCA), and parallel analysis, and correlation calculations were completed. <b>Results:</b> For all main outcomes of the screening tests, except Plank Testing, the percent change of means increased the most between 1st and 2nd year students (ie, students demonstrated the greatest improvement during this period). The overall screen test's alpha value, .87 (95% CI, 0.86-0.89), fell in the acceptable alpha values range. PCA, parallel analysis, and eigenvalues demonstrated how four to seven components explained the variance of the screening tests. The Turnout components are highly correlated, the Plank Testing components moderately correlated, and the Harvard Step Test and FMS components were lowly correlated. <b>Conclusion:</b> The screening test data indicate replicability for future dancing injury prevention screening programs. Findings from this study suggest increasing the current literature's 14-point cutoff of FMS testing in dancers, adjusting components of screening tests, and adapting courses based on screening test performance to reduce injury risk for dancers. Next steps include prospective studies to track injuries, validate screening methods, and establish appropriate cut off scores for dancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"293-307"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Influence Ballet Dancers' Eating Behaviors: A Qualitative Study of Ballet Dancers' Lived Experiences.","authors":"Lisa Favre, Leo Druart","doi":"10.1177/1089313X251361646","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1089313X251361646","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Ballet dancing is driven by goals of artistic performance that depend on aesthetic standards. These standards involve maintaining a slim and muscular physique. Therefore, dancers tend to adopt eating behaviors that may have long-term consequences for their health and performance. This study aims to explore ballet dancers' perceptions of their dietary behaviors. <b>Method:</b> This study employed a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconference. Recruitment was carried out on social media in January 2023. Interviews were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Each interview was coded using an inductive approach. Categories were grouped into sub-themes and themes. Participant citations were then translated. <b>Results:</b> Eleven interviews were conducted with professional ballerina dancers from various Operas in France and Monaco. Analysis generated three themes. Firstly, dancers must meet specific ballet standards instilled in them by both instructors and peers. Dance instructors were perceived as authority figures, and their words about their students' physical appearance during puberty often carried stressful memories. Secondly, our participants discussed their relationship to food. To match the ideal ballerina's appearance, dancers recounted adopting unhealthy eating behaviors. Thirdly, once in a ballet company, dancers recalled gaining maturity and knowledge, which helped them realize the consequences of these negative behaviors. They became more concerned about their health and adapted their diets. Individual characteristics, personal reactions to instructors' demands, and the influence of significant others influenced their eating behaviors. Our participants voiced a desire for attitudes to change regarding ballet standards. They wished for more medical follow-up concerning physical and mental health. <b>Conclusion:</b> When it comes to diet, professional ballet dancers should be considered not just as artists, but also as elite athletes. Eating behaviors play a fundamental role in an athlete's performance and well-being, as they help meet nutritional needs in the context of high athletic fueling demands.</p>","PeriodicalId":46421,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dance Medicine & Science","volume":" ","pages":"283-292"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144805050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}