Injury Prevention
What should a dancer do before beginning intense physical activity to prepare the body?
Warm Up
What muscle group is located in the front of the upper arm and helps bend the elbow?
What does Plie' mean?
to bend
What should a dancer's head be aligned over?
The spine/center of the body
What should you do when the teacher enters the dance space and begins class?
Be prepared, attentive, and ready to participate
What should dancers do after a workout to help gradually lower the heart rate and improve flexibility?
Cool Down/ Stretch
What large muscle group is located in the front of the thigh
Quadriceps
What is tendu?
To stretch/extend the foot along the floor
Why is proper alignment important for dancers?
It improves technique and helps prevent injury
What should dancers do with personal belongings during class?
Keep them in the designated area
Name two common causes of dance injuries.
Overuse, improper technique, lack of warm-up, fatigue, poor footwear
What muscle group is located in the back of the thigh
Hamstring
What is releve?
To rise onto the balls of the feet
When standing in proper dance alignment, where should the knees track in relation to the toes?
In the same direction as the toes
What should a dancer do if they are injured during class?
Stop dancing and notify the teacher
A dancer continues practicing despite experiencing sharp pain. Why is this unsafe?
What is the largest muscle group in the body and one that is heavily used for jumps and powerful movements?
Gluteus Maximus/ Glutes
What is arabesque?
A position in which one leg is extended behind the body
What can happen when a dancer repeatedly turns out from the knees or feet instead of the hips?
It can place stress on the joints and cause injury
Why is attendance important in a dance class?
Dance requires consistent practice, technique development, and participation
A dancer has swelling, severe pain, or cannot put weight on an injured body part. What should they do?
Stop participating and report the injury to the teacher/appropriate adult for evaluation
Which muscle group helps pull the shoulders back and supports good posture?
Upper Back Muscles
Explain the difference between en pointe, relevé, and demi-pointe.
En pointe = dancing on the tips of pointe shoes;
relevé = rising onto the balls of the feet;
demi-pointe = standing/dancing on the balls of the feet
Describe proper standing dance alignment from the head through the feet.
Head over spine, shoulders relaxed, ribs controlled, pelvis neutral, knees aligned over toes, and weight balanced through the feet
During a combination, you forget the choreography. What is the most appropriate classroom procedure?
Stay engaged, continue safely, watch the instructor, and rejoin the combination when possible