By Kais Parson
In a pioneering move that underscores its commitment to excellence, The Royal Ballet School has embarked on an innovative research project to optimize strength training for young dancers. This collaborative effort with the University of Essex, launched in 2023, places The Royal Ballet School at the forefront of performance science in dance education.
Jamie Harding, the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Upper School at The Royal Ballet School, is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative. As part of his doctoral studies, Harding conducts five interlinked studies that delve into the intricate relationship between targeted weight training and dancer performance. The research, set to conclude in early 2025, promises to shed new light on how strength training can best support dancers throughout their developmental years.
The significance of this research cannot be overstated. Ballet, as Harding notes, occupies a unique position at the intersection of aesthetic artistry and high-performance athleticism. Dancers routinely push the boundaries of physical capability, making it imperative to ensure their bodies are adequately prepared for the rigorous demands of their craft.
Harding’s research methodology is comprehensive and multifaceted. The initial phase involves a reliability study, examining the accuracy of the physical profiling tests conducted at The Royal Ballet School. These tests, which measure students’ strength, power, and muscular endurance, form the cornerstone of the School’s approach to monitoring dancer progress. Early findings have been encouraging, confirming the accuracy of these profiling tests and providing valuable validation of the School’s assessment methods.
Subsequent studies in Harding’s research explore elite adolescent ballet dancers’ evolving physical performance profiles over a training year. This area of investigation is particularly significant given the need for more academic research on the normative power, strength, and muscular endurance levels of 11-to-19-year-old elite ballet dancers. In keeping with its commitment to transparency and industry leadership, The Royal Ballet School plans to share the resulting profiles and reference values with the broader ballet community, potentially influencing practices far beyond its studios.
A key research component involves monitoring dancers’ strength, power, and muscular endurance changes throughout the academic year. Intriguingly, preliminary data has revealed instances where dancers experience peak fatigue at times when the healthcare team had anticipated they would be at their physical peak. This insight prompts The Royal Ballet School to refine its training approaches and scheduling strategies to optimize dancer performance and prevent burnout.
Harding’s research’s most innovative aspect is exploring micro-dosages in strength and conditioning training. By comparing different training schedules, including the traditional 45-minute weekly session and more frequent 15-minute sessions, the study aims to identify the most effective approach for dancers. Early findings suggest shorter, more frequent sessions reduce fatigue and fewer scheduling conflicts.
In response to these preliminary results, The Royal Ballet School has already changed its training regimen. The introduction of 15-minute strength and conditioning sessions immediately following dance classes has been met with enthusiasm from students, who report feeling more energized and better able to push themselves in these shorter, more frequent workouts.
The Royal Ballet School’s commitment to research-driven practice exemplifies its dedication to nurturing the next generation of dancers. By partnering with elite research institutions like the University of Essex, the School continues to push the boundaries of dance science, answering critical performance questions and deepening its understanding of dancers’ physical needs. The findings from this research will not only inform the Royal Ballet School’s renowned Healthy Dancer Programme, but they will also contribute valuable insights to the broader dance industry and other performance disciplines.
As The Royal Ballet School approaches its centenary, this research project is a testament to its ongoing evolution and unwavering commitment to excellence in dance education. By bridging the gap between artistic expression and scientific rigor, The Royal Ballet School ensures that future generations of dancers will be better equipped to meet the physical demands of their craft while minimizing the risk of injury.
The impact of this research extends far beyond the walls of The Royal Ballet School. As a leader in dance education, the School’s findings can potentially revolutionize strength training practices across the ballet world, ushering in a new era of dancer health and performance optimization. Through this innovative approach, The Royal Ballet School continues to shape the future of dance, one carefully measured step at a time.
