Archive for performing artist athletes
Jumping higher, spinning faster: Max’s figure skating story
Thousands of fans around the globe have watched it, but very few people can do it. The quadruple Salchow, also known as the quad, requires that a skater launch themself into the air, spin four times, and land on one leg — ideally without falling or wobbling. The best figure skaters make skills like the ... Read More about Jumping higher, spinning faster: Max’s figure skating story
Hip pain is different in female dancers: New insights from dynamic ultrasound
Dancers put unique demands on their hips, achieving extreme ranges of motion that can strain the joints and damage supporting tissues around them. Not surprisingly, hip injuries account for up to 17 percent of injuries in dancers and 27 percent among professional dancers. Microinstability — no small problem for dancers Conditions such as hip dysplasia ... Read More about Hip pain is different in female dancers: New insights from dynamic ultrasound
Fancy footwork: Two figure skating experts on injury prevention
Amazing costumes, breathtaking artistry, and outstanding athleticism. No wonder figure skating is a Winter Olympics must-watch for millions of people. With the 2022 games fast approaching, Dr. Ellen Geminiani of Boston Children’s Sports Medicine Division has some insights for aspiring athletes watching these spectacles on ice. “I hope young skaters will think about how much ... Read More about Fancy footwork: Two figure skating experts on injury prevention
Nicole and Alana: A friendship formed in dance
I was holding myself back, scared I would hurt myself, but Alana helped me realize I could push myself safely. She helped me gain confidence and trust in my dancing body again.
A gymnast gets her spring back
In order to master the pirouette, Mikayla Comeiro drew on many of the strengths she’d developed as a competitive gymnast: hours of practice, determination and physical stamina. To perform a pirouette, the gymnast swings herself into a handstand on the uneven bars and walks her hands around in a circle, rotating her entire body while ... Read More about A gymnast gets her spring back
Returning to the stage after cubital tunnel syndrome
Bruno Silva can’t imagine his life without music. He has been playing bass guitar since he was 12 years old and performs at least once a week, often more. Born in Japan to Brazilian parents, Bruno has lived and performed in England, Brazil, Spain and the United States. He started out playing along to bands ... Read More about Returning to the stage after cubital tunnel syndrome
Nicole’s Story: Dancing my way through pain
Dance is my life passion. I’ve spent more than 15 hours a week dancing for most of my 26 years — except for a period of time when hip pain forced me to stop. We dancers usually don’t express our pain; in fact, we almost like to be in pain because it means we’re working ... Read More about Nicole’s Story: Dancing my way through pain
What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
When it comes to orthopedic injuries, sports are usually talked about as high-risk activities, but it’s not often we consider the risk that musicians take when playing an instrument for hours every day. Musicians can get overuse injuries the same way that athletes do, and are at risk for neck and back injuries, as well ... Read More about What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
‘Going for it’ with a congenital hand difference
“People ask me if it’s harder to do certain things, and I always tell them, ‘I don’t know, this is all I’ve ever had.’” Despite being born with symbrachydactyly — a condition in which the middle three fingers of her left hand never fully developed — 12-year-old Ashley makes most things look easy. She runs ... Read More about ‘Going for it’ with a congenital hand difference
Teagan’s triumphant return: Dancing after Perthes disease
Teagan has lived and breathed dance — ballet, jazz, tap, and more — since she was 5 years old. “It’s what makes me happy,” the now 12-year-old says. But two years ago, she started to feel pain in her hip that persisted after dance class and worsened over time. As her spring dance season wrapped ... Read More about Teagan’s triumphant return: Dancing after Perthes disease