BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 39 A commercial airline pilot… and an adult ballet student! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Captain Christopher Marici to talk about his life in aviation, how he discovered adult ballet, and why he believes ballet is one of the most powerful long-term investments you can make for your body and…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 38 What if the way you walk down the street could reveal whether you trained in ballet? Learn how ballet training influences walking biomechanics across the lifespan. In this research study, I compared the overground walking biomechanics of four groups: young professional ballet dancers, young non-dancers, older recreational ballet dancers, and…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 34 Have you ever thought, “I’ve always wanted to try ballet, but I’m too old” … or “I didn’t start as a kid, so what’s the point now?” This episode is for you. In this episode, I break down how to start ballet as an adult from a science-based, body-respectful perspective….
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 28 Falls are the #1 cause of injury in older adults worldwide, but can ballet help? In this episode, Caroline Simpkins, PhD, breaks down her published research in the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, examining whether recreational ballet dancers aged 55+ show advantages in key fall-risk factors compared to non-dancers….
In this special episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, host Caroline Simpkins shares her personal journey with papillary thyroid cancer, from the first subtle signs to diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. As a former ballerina turned researcher, Caroline opens up about how body awareness helped her detect something was wrong, what it was like to undergo…
How do ballet dancers walk compared to non-dancers? In this video, we break down the biomechanics of gait, balance, and stability using my own research. Explore findings from my study comparing professional ballet dancers to non-dancers during normal walking. You’ll learn how ballet training influences step length, step width, walking speed, cadence, and dynamic gait…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 13 Can ballet help improve balance and coordination in people with MS? In this episode, we explore a fascinating 2018 study investigating how a targeted ballet training program may help reduce ataxia and improve balance in individuals with mild to moderate MS. Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system, often impairing…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 3 Can ballet prevent falls in older adults? Falls are the #1 cause of injury in older adults… could ballet training help prevent them? In this video, we break down the science behind ballet and fall prevention. Learn how recreational ballet training improves balance, enhances slip recovery, and changes neuromuscular response…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 2 In this episode (Part 2 of 3), we dive into the pilot study I conducted on fall prevention in professional ballet dancers. We explore: how ballet dancers respond to unexpected standing slips, differences between dancers and non-dancers in balance, trunk control, and recovery steps, what a pilot study is and…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 1 Welcome to the Ballet Science Podcast! I’m Caroline Simpkins, a former ballerina turned researcher. In this first episode of our three-part series on ballet and fall prevention, we explore how ballet training can enhance balance, stability, and overall fall risk reduction for dancers and movers of all ages. We’ll cover:…
