Overview: National Dance Teachers Convention, NYC, 2005.
August 2005
Biomechanical Analysis,
Correction and Retraining - Reaching the Next Level of Performance in Classical
Ballet and Olympic Development Programs
Following a sabbatical from his medical studies in 1984, Stephen M. 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.
Stephen M. Apatow, is a specialized consultant
for sports and Olympic development programs in the field of biomechanics.
He is the founder of the Sports Medicine & Science Institute. He
also serves as President and Director of Research and Development, of the
nonprofit organization Humanitarian Resource Institute, and serves as a specialist
in strategic planning and project development of initiatives associated with
human medicine, veterinary medicine and U.S. and international law. To enhance
collaboration between Humanitarian Resource Institute and the international
community of scholars, he facilitated the formation of the Humanitarian University
Consortium in 2002, to enhance the development of initiatives associated with
economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues worldwide.
For questions or additional information,
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