Force Deficits and Sleep Deficits in Dancers

This is why we keep coming back to this idea of having an efficient system for strength training dancers. It’s not just that there are some exercises (like a reverse lunge) that are more effective for an athlete than others (like a seated leg extension on a machine). It’s that the dancer has to pay for any inefficiencies with more time spent exercising, which in turn diminishes the amount of time they have for other areas of their life that are critical for peak performance and general wellbeing.

Jason HarrisonJuly 17, 2020Present Tense Fitnesssleep, force velocity, force-velocity, strength and conditioning, efficiencyComment

More on Consolidating Stressors

Strength coaches fortunate enough to have a dancer trust them with their artistic instruments need to always keep in mind that the dancer mindset is always to do more. Run it again. Cross train. Diet more. Cardio on the day off. Early morning yoga to stretch. So much of our work is to help dancers find the minimum effective dose, to rest their bodies, and to build confidence in a well-crafted, detailed, and flexible process. Consolidating stress requires all of this and great communication between dancer and coach. It’s not always easy and it’s often more art than science, but that’s literally the job when working with performers.

Jason HarrisonOctober 19, 2019Present Tense Fitnessstress, consolidating stress, rest day, recovery, sleepComment