Sports Medicine & Science Institute

Stephen Apatow teaching biomechanics class at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, Spring 2007. Aspirations to achieve top level performance requires detailed attention given to each aspect of the training program. Every day, our diet, strength, speed, flexibility, postural alignment, mental preparation and technical training all relate to the factors upon which our bodies will adapt, to yield our potential performance. -- Stephen M. Apatow

Yashiro Yamashita Clinic: 9 times all Japan Champion, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in the open division, four times world champion. Back Row: Imon, Yashiro Yamishita, Sid Kelly, Stephen Apatow, Founder, JudoSport International (Kokoro: Mixed Martial Arts Style). Front Row: Clint, John, David Roberts, Roger.

International DanceScience Development Initiative
International Medical, Scientific and Educational Initiative of the Sports Medicine & Science Institute.

In the early 80's, Stephen M. Apatow took his background studies in medicine and exercise physiology, into full time training for international competition in two sports. As a part of technical training, he obtained scholarships to study modern, jazz and ballet for 3 years under Broadway Star Lee Lund (Jaime Rogers) and then 2 years studying the Soviet System of Ballet Training (Nutmeg Conservatory). Today, he is considered the international reference point for classical ballet based biomechanics for orthopedic analysis, dance and Olympic development programs.

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Continuing Education

eDancescience.org: Part I: Guidelines for Child Safety & Diagnostic Competence - Lower Extremity: Humanitarian Resource Institute, Sports Medicine & Science Institute, 6 April 2009.
Classical Ballet Based Biomechanical Analysis and Orthopedics 101: Undergraduate/Graduate/Professional, Instructor: Stephen M. Apatow, Director of Research and Development. See: Humanitarian University Consortium Continuing Education

Overview

In conjunction, with scholarships to study classical ballet training at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in the late 80's, Stephen Apatow was asked by artistic director Sharon Dante (YouTube: PM Magazine, 1984) to incorporate a specialized program to optimize classical ballet based alignment mechanics.

The challenge encompassed the differences between participants that were the result of a "one out of a thousand selection process" and opportunities in the United States that allow all children to participate despite their physical limitations. The focus encompassed an accentuated stretch and flexibility emphasis, for all developmental levels (pre-ballet through professional) to better enable the dancer in their progression toward the mechanical ideal of the development program.

The advanced level of this developmental focus was intensive spine and extremity analysis, correction, retraining and coaching with dancers preparing for international competitions and professional careers. This intensive work resulted in an immediate functional change in technical performance within a 4-6 week period, facilitating progress that was impossible through the classical ballet development program alone. See:

Biomechanical Analysis, Correction and Retraining: Reaching the Next Level of Performance in Classical Ballet and Olympic Development Programs. Overview compiled for Sharon Dante, 2005 NYC Dance Teachers Convention.
ABT Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet: Biomechanical Analysis, Correction and Retraining and Integration into technical skills.

The results of our 20-year collaborative relationship include the formation of the Sports Medicine and Science Institute, specialized classical ballet development programs, applications for sports and Olympic development programs, orthopedic analysis and injury prevention.

References:

Sharon E. Dante: Founder, Artistic Director, Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts.
Susan Patterson: President, Board of Directors, Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts.

Private Consultations

Private consultations for biomechanical analysis, correction and retraining are available to students who are in need or want to improve specific areas of their training that cannot happen in the ballet class alone.

Emily Patterson, Joffrey Ballet, IMDB, The Company (2003), Save the Last Dance (2001).

Private consultation options:

Performance Biomechanics Session: Intensive analysis, correction and retraining based on progressive programs used prepare dancers for international competition.
Injury Prevention Biomechanics Session: Sessions focus on specific problem areas (spine and extremity mechanics), understanding the mechanism of joint stress and injury, articular range of motion and alignment optimization.

Questions regarding the scope of this work can also be directed to:

	Stephen M. Apatow *Director, SMSI Dancescience Development Program, Ballet Coach, Biomechanics Specialist & Technical Consultant.* * Founder, Director of Research and Development of the Sports Medicine & Science Institute.
	Sports Medicine & Science Institute 167 Cherry Street, # 260 Milford, Connecticut 06460 Telephone: (203) 668-0282 Internet: www.esportsmedicine.org Email: s.m.apatow@esportsmedicine.org

In The News

Education Connection event "Fit Together" targets education, support and access to health resources for children and families in Northwestern Connecticut: Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts presentation, 20 May 2006.

Performance Optimization

Common Dance Injuries: Interactive injury information page. The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries: Hospital for Joint Diseases Othopaedic Institute.
Coaches, Athlete and Parent Resource Center: Sports Medicine Advisories, Sports Medicine Information Resource, Dance & SportScience Information Network Sports Directory.