The Royal Ballet School, renowned for its excellence in classical ballet training, has embarked on a groundbreaking research project in collaboration with the University of Essex. This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to revolutionize strength training provisions for pre-professional ballet dancers, placing The Royal Ballet School at the forefront of performance science in dance education.
Spearheading this research is Jamie Harding, The Royal Ballet School’s Strength and Conditioning Coach for Upper School. As part of his PhD studies, Harding is investigating how targeted weight training can enhance dancers’ strength and performance while minimizing injury risks. This research comprises five studies, set to conclude in early 2025, that will shed light on the most effective ways to support dancers’ physical development during their formative years.
The significance of Harding’s work at The Royal Ballet School cannot be overstated. Ballet is uniquely positioned as an aesthetic art form and a high-performance athletic pursuit. Dancers routinely perform feats that push the boundaries of human physical capability, making it crucial to ensure their bodies are prepared for these demanding tasks.
Harding’s research process 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 measure students’ strength, power, and muscular endurance and are essential for monitoring dancers’ progress throughout their training. Early findings indicate that these profiling tests are accurate, providing valuable confidence in the School’s assessment methods.
Subsequent studies in Harding’s research delve into elite adolescent ballet dancers’ evolving physical performance profiles over a training year. This study area is particularly significant due to the scarcity of academic research on the normative power, strength, and muscular endurance levels of 11-to-19-year-old elite ballet dancers. The Royal Ballet School’s commitment to transparency means that the resulting profiles and reference values will be shared with the broader ballet industry, potentially influencing practices far beyond the School’s walls.
A vital research component involves monitoring dancers’ strength, power, and muscular endurance changes throughout the academic year. Interestingly, preliminary data has revealed that dancers sometimes 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 dancers’ performance and prevent burnout.
The most intriguing aspect of Harding’s research is the exploration of 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 that shorter, more frequent sessions may be more beneficial, leading to less 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 positive feedback from students, who report feeling fresher and more capable of pushing 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 answer critical performance questions and deepen its scientific 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 in 2026, this research project stands as 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.