Sports Medicine & Science Institute

Biomechanical Analysis, Correction and Retraining consultation with Student Emily Patterson, Joffrey Ballet, IMDB, The Company (2003), Save the Last Dance (2001).

December 2011

International Dancescience Development Program - Reaching the Next Level of Performance in Technical and Artistic Development

Following a sabbatical from his medical studies in 1984, Stephen Michael Apatow spent close to a decade as a competitive athlete, coach and consultant, pursuing advanced training in ultra distance running and cycling, martial arts and Soviet ballet training to international competition in cycling, cross country skiing and rowing.

During this training period the continuation of intensive studies of myology, anthrology, osteology, neurology, exercise physiology and biomechanics, in conjunction with scholarships in dance and ballet training, led to further research of the ideal postural alignment objective in the classical ballet development program. This research encompassed an intensive analysis of the first through eighth year of the pedagogical system and Vaganova based training methodology as taught at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in Torrington, Connecticut. The result of this research led to the development of a specialized program that encompassed (1) the analysis of a joint complex by comparison to the classical ballet mechanical ideal, (2) the integration of corrective procedures to increase the elasticity of muscle-tendon restrictions associated with a malalignment pattern, (3) functional restoration of joint range of motion and flexibility and (4) retraining to enable postural control utilizing the ideal classical ballet based alignment as the objective.

In 1990, this experimental program was utilized to enhance the postural alignment mechanics of an elite dancer Cheryl Madeux, a Nutmeg dancer who was preparing for international ballet competitions in Lausanne and Paris. The program yielded immediate results, including increased hip range of motion (turnout), correction of knee, ankle foot malalignment problems (that result from turnout below the knee), spinal and shoulder alignment (restrictions of the shoulder complex that affected port de bra and cervical spine alignment). Corrections were then integrated into a concentrated retraining program that consisted of fundamental exercise sequences at the ballet barre and integration into all choreographed movement. A nutrition and classical ballet specific aerobic training regimen was also developed to enhance conditioning and bodyline. The results of the one-month intensive program yielded a rapid progression to the next technical level of performance, an accomplishment not considered attainable through the classical ballet daily training program alone.

The Madeux case served as a starting point for the integration of this work into all levels of the pedagogical program at Nutmeg Ballet. Today, In the early 90's the biomechanical analysis, correction and retraining program was adapted for athletes in Olympic and sports development programs and at the request of the medical community, orthopedic applications that included entrapment neuropathies, scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia, friedreich ataxia, multiple sclerosis and veterinary cases (canine, equine).

The course "Optimization of Classical Ballet and Sports Development Programs" was first introduced in 1999 at the National Conference for the Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (SSDHPER - 73rd Annual Meeting Program) for U.S. Board of Education offices and health educators representing all 50 states. This course was formally presented as an accredited course at the 11 state American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Combined Convention on February 12, 2003 in Reno-Sparks, Nevada.

The International Dancescience Development Program is a collaborative initiative of the Sports Medicine & Science Institute, Pathobiologics International and United Nations Arts Initiative, and provides specialized coaching in classical ballet based technical and artistic development at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts complex in Torrington, Connecticut.

For questions or additional information, contact:
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Stephen Michael Apatow
Founder, Director of Research & Development
Sports Medicine & Science Institute
International Dancescience Development Program
Humanitarian University Consortium
Graduate Studies Center for Medicine,
Veterinary Medicine & Law
Phone: 203-668-0282
Email: s.m.apatow@edancescience.org
Internet: www.edancescience.org

United Nations Arts Initiative
Internet: www.unarts.org

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