So Far...

Qualitative Data

Interviews

The people I chose for this process are from a cross section of the dance profession. Interview one is with a successful dancer who is currently working. Two, an older successful dancer with an injury. An ex-professional dancer turned teacher and trained Pilates instructor and the fourth with the course co-ordinator at the college. I chose these participants as I feel they collectively give an all round perspective of the training dancer and a career in_­ dance. The dancers careers have involved many varied different dance contracts including; Land, on Cruise Ships, Television/Music Video's, Concert Tours and the West End.

First Set of Student Survey/Test results

I was surprised that the student’s knowledge of basic anatomy and physical fitness was so poor. This is what triggered the idea for the intervention. How can I improve the student’s knowledge and understanding in a way that would supplement their Body conditioning training?

What could I do...?

I decided to set them tasks during their spring term to help them learn about the importance of body conditioning. How with better knowledge of anatomy and physical fitness a dancer/ training dancer can maintain a body at peak physical condition. Thus improving injury prevention and help injury management.

How could I tell if it worked?

Second Set of Student Surveys and Contextual Test Results

To be completed after intervention to test its effectiveness.

Review of Literature

I based the intervention on many teachings from the literature (literature blog to follow). 

Quantitative Data: 

Survey Monkey Results

• 77.8% have a fitness regime now and either swim, run, work out, visit the gym 2-5 days a week, or take part in more than 40 minutes of exercise every day. These can be ideas outlined within my professional artefact.

This one point shows the need to promote physical fitness within the students BC classes. It is well known that it is important for dance professionals to maintain peak physical condition to prevent or manage injury.

Observations and Register Results

I have recorded injuries and level of effort throughout the term so I can compare these with the observation results taken from the ballet assessments. To hopefully show if the extra academic training as well as concentrated stylised training had any effect on performance and injuries during the term. Furthermore, did working hard in BC facilitate other dance classes? E.g. stretching and strengthening in BC help Grande Battement in Ballet. Observation of Ballet assessments to right up and comparisons with register data to follow. Is there a correlation?

Intervention Process then Review/Assessment

Intervention is still underway. 

So Far...

From my findings the inquiry will involve an intervention. This will consist of the teaching of a range of training styles to improve the dancer’s fitness. Circuit training, pilates/yoga, personal training style partner work and aerobic style classes. Furthermore, contextual study style homework provided by myself designed to improve the student’s knowledge of anatomy, fitness and injury prevention/management.  

My inquiry is to see if any of the above will improve the students understanding of their training as well as preparing them appropriately for their other classes and self motivated training. The artefact as a BC guide then is something to keep, helping inform their practise and injury management as many injuries re-occur throughout a career.

Quantitative data from observations in relation to register recordings of injuries and performance during class will be evidence of the above. Along with a fitness review at the end of the ten week intervention, a second survey will hopefully show the effectiveness of the intervention. Further qualitative data will include a second interview with the course coordinator that will confirm whether I have been successful in my inquiry. Her opinion and thoughts are imperative for the event of its release. The desired outcome would be the allowance of my guide to become a part of the curriculum material.

After a conversation with Paula the idea to add a report form for the recording of injuries within the artefact formulated. We discussed allowing students to record injuries, information about injury prevention/management, advice/exercises given from the physio and myself. To avoid negative attitudes towards the subject it would be important to accompany this with an explanation that injuries happen and it’s all a part of a dancers training and career. This artefact will inform a dancer how to deal with the event of an injury and alleviate any anxiety due to the fear of the unknown. As well as giving BC guidance to compliment their course at the college.