All dancers are looking to achieve optimal performance—and Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology will help them do just that.
This text helps dancers learn anatomical and biomechanical principles as they apply to dance performance. It focuses on optimal dance movement and the related principles for understanding the function of body joints. And by applying those principles, dancers can help reduce their risk of injury and enhance their performance longevity.
In addition, Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology includes special practical applications:
• Concept Demonstrations provide hands-on exercises to try.
• Tests and Measurements are specific to selected regions of the body.
• Dance Cues help analyze cue effectiveness and promote optimal movement execution.
• Study Questions and Applications help apply chapter concepts.
• Attachments provide the pronunciations, attachments, and key actions of the primary muscles covered in this text.
The first two chapters cover the skeletal and muscular systems as they apply to dance and provide basic anatomical terminology and concepts. Chapters 3 through 7 delve into specific areas of the body—the spine, the pelvic girdle and hip joint, the knee and patellofemoral joints, the ankle and foot, and the upper extremity.
These chapters encompass primary bones, muscles, joints, alignment deviations, mechanics, and injuries for the given region, with special considerations for dance. They present strength and flexibility exercises to help dancers improve technique and prevent injuries. And they contain many practical exercises and examples that are specific to dance technique to help dancers apply the material. The material is augmented by more than 250 illustrations and nearly 350 photographs, which will appeal to the visual learning abilities of many dancers and reinforce the connection between technique and art.
The final chapter presents a schema to help analyze full-body dance movements to determine optimal execution.
Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology offers valuable scientific knowledge and understanding for dancers, helping them to blend anatomical and kinesiological principles with artistic expression. Such a blend of science and art will empower dancers to realize their potential and expand their artistic vision.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. The Skeletal System and Its Movements
Primary Tissues of the Body
Bone Composition and Structure
Bone Development and Growth
The Human Skeleton
Joint Architecture
Body Orientation Terminology
Joint Movement Terminology
Skeletal Considerations in Whole Body Movement
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 2. The Muscular System
Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function
Microstructure of Skeletal Muscle and Muscle Contraction
Muscle Architecture
Muscle Attachments to Bone
Muscles, Levers, and Rotary Motion
Types of Muscle Contraction (Tension)
Muscular Considerations in Whole Body Movement
Learning Muscle Names and Actions
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 3. The Spine
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Spine
Joint Structure and Movements of the Vertebral Column
Description and Functions of Individual Muscles of the Spine
Ideal Spinal Alignment and Common Deviations
Spinal Mechanics
Muscular Analysis of Fundamental Spinal Movements
Key Considerations for the Spine in Whole Body Movement
Special Considerations for the Spine in Dance
Conditioning Exercises for the Spine
Back Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 4. The Pelvic Girdle and Hip Joint
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Hip Region
Joint Structure and Movements of the Pelvic Girdle
Joint Structure and Movements of the Hip
Description and Functions of Individual Hip Muscles
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Hip Region
Pelvic and Hip Mechanics
Muscular Analysis of Fundamental Hip Movements
Key Considerations for the Hip in Whole Body Movement
Special Considerations for the Hip in Dance
Conditioning Exercises for the Hip
Hip Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 5. The Knee and Patellofemoral Joints
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Knee Region
Joint Structure and Movements of the Knee
Description and Functions of Individual Knee Muscles
Knee Alignment and Common Deviations
Knee Mechanics
Joint Structure and Movements of the Patellofemoral Joint
Patellofemoral Alignment and the Q Angle
Patellofemoral Mechanics
Muscular Analysis of Fundamental Knee Movements
Key Considerations for the Knee in Whole Body Movement
Special Considerations for the Knee in Dance
Conditioning Exercises for the Knee
Knee Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 6. The Ankle and Foot
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Ankle and Foot
Joint Structure and Movements of the Ankle and Foot
Description and Functions of Individual Muscles of the Ankle and Foot
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Ankle and Foot
Mechanics of the Ankle and Foot
Muscular Analysis of Fundamental Movements of the Ankle and Foot
Key Considerations for the Ankle and Foot in Whole Body Movement
Special Considerations for the Ankle and Foot in Dance
Conditioning Exercises for the Ankle and Foot
Ankle and Foot Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Ankle and Foot Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 7. The Upper Extremity
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Shoulder Complex
Joint Structure and Movements of the Shoulder Girdle
Joint Structure and Movements of the Shoulder
Description and Functions of Individual Muscles of the Shoulder Complex
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Shoulder Complex
Shoulder Mechanics
Muscular Analysis of Fundamental Shoulder Movements
Special Considerations for the Shoulder Complex in Dance
Other Joints of the Upper Extremity
Description and Functions of Selected Individual Muscles of the Elbow
Structure and Movements of the Radioulnar Joints
Key Considerations for the Upper Extremity in Whole Body Movement
Conditioning Exercises for the Upper Extremity
Upper Extremity Injuries in Dancers
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
Chapter 8. Analysis of Human Movement
Anatomical Movement Analysis of Whole Body Movements
Other Methods for Movement Analysis
Research-Supported Movement Analysis
Optimal Performance Models
Movement Cues
Summary
Study Questions and Applications
References and Resources
Index
About the Author
Text for dance majors at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. Reference for dance professionals.
Karen Clippinger received her master's degree in exercise science from the University of Washington in 1984. Her lifelong work has focused on the application of scientific principles to enhance alignment and movement performance while reducing injury risk. She is currently a professor at California State University at Long Beach, where she teaches functional anatomy for dance, Pilates, placement for the dancer, prevention and care of dance injuries, and dance science related to teaching technique. Ms. Clippinger has also taught dance anatomy and kinesiology courses at UCLA, Scripps College, the University of Washington, and the University of Calgary. She serves as a faculty member for Body Arts and Science International.
Prior to her appointment at CSULB, Ms. Clippinger worked as a clinical kinesiologist for 22 years. She has also served as a consulting kinesiologist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet since 1981 and has consulted for the U.S. race walking team, the U.S. Weightlifting Federation, and the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Ms. Clippinger has given more than 350 presentations in the United States and abroad. She has taught workshops at many universities and has authored numerous articles and chapters. She wrote an exercise column for Shape magazine for four years and served as one of the founding coeditors in chief of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science from 1996 to 2005.
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