Performance nutrition for dancers in university curriculum: A qualitative investigation

Champion, Lowry MFA, University of Oregon , Eugene, OR, United States

This presentation investigates the importance of nutrition education for dancers through a brief review of literature and through a qualitative analysis of the dancer?s response to a university performance nutrition course. 

While addressing the Female Athlete Triad (disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis), a dietary-based syndrome often seen in dancers, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends using education to prevent and reduce the prevalence of the Triad. Target groups for education include, but are not limited to: coaches, trainers, parents, peers, and the athletes themselves (ACSM 1997). Educating our directors, instructors, parents, and dancers on the importance of adequate nutrition is imperative when promoting dance wellness.

Dance-specific curriculum with an emphasis on current research was developed and taught by: a graduate teaching fellow/M.F.A. candidate, a dance physiologist/educator, and a registered sports dietitian. Eight dancers chose to enroll in the ten-week course and participate in the study. Entrance and exit assessments were completed during the first and last classes to measure students? prior understanding of nutrition and knowledge gained during the course. Free response forms were completed during the last class to evaluate the short-term response to the course. Response forms were again completed and submitted one year out to evaluate the students? long-term response to the course.

Entrance and exit assessments, short-term responses, and long-term responses are currently being coded and analyzed. Results are pending.

In this presentation: literature will be reviewed, a qualitative assessment on the dancer?s response to a university nutrition course will be discussed, and recommendations for future courses and studies will be made. Encouraged to attend are: clinicians, researchers, dance educators, students, and all others interested in nutrition for dancers and dance wellness.