Training the dancers foot: identify and use correct muscle recruitment patterns with Pilates based exercises

Latey, Penelope Masters Science, University Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 

Participants 

Dance teachers and allied health professionals with an interest in the foot and related problems

Purpose 

Identify and understand the function of important foot and lower limb muscles with an experiential anatomy review.

Teach new approaches to foot exercises to activate muscles of the sole of the foot and lower limb. Demonstrate modified warm up stretches and Pilates exercise to include the foot. Review fundamental dance movements in relation to functional feet.

Enhance teaching skills with anatomically sound advice and cueing techniques for students, ensuring correct alignment and muscle recruitment patterns to maintain dancers feet.

Approach 

Participants are expected to practice some experiential anatomy activities to learn to identify significant muscles and bony landmarks of the lower limb and feet; and recognize the different function of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles 

Practice a variety of specific foot exercises and Pilates based exercises related to the foot, leg alignment and core warm up. 

Utilize musclo-skeletal understanding of the foot and lower limb in fundamental dance movements to help avoid potential foot problems. 

 Exercises will be done seated, standing and lying down

Participants are recommended to wear comfortable exercise clothes, bring a towel or mat, and tennis ball (optional)