Unit 1 - Area of Study 4: Awareness and maintenance of the dancer's body

Outcome 4

Describe key approaches to wellbeing and health practices for dancers and essential aspects of physiology, and demonstrate the safe use and maintenance of the dancer’s body.

Examples of lear​ning activities

• Use the internet and other sources to research functions of the dancer’s body. Write a report that outlines essential aspects of physiology as they relate to the dancer.
• Study the anatomy and physiology of the body relevant to dancers.
• Investigate common injuries and their treatments and list safe practices that a dancer should be aware of.
• 
  Undertake a systematic investigation of health and wellbeing issues faced by dancers.
  

 

Detailed example

Investigation of health and wellbeing issues for dancers

​Week/topic	​Research and learning topics
​Weeks 1 and 2 Posture and alignment	​The spine and spinal deviations Aspects of alignment
​Weeks 3 and 4 Muscles and stretching	​Muscle function, types and major groups Stretching: when, how, why
​Week 5 Injuries and injury management	​Common injuries Injury mangement, prevention, treatment
​Week 6 Safe dance practice	​Safe dance practice principles Purpose of warm up and cool down
​Weeks 7 and 8 Maintaining the dancer's body	​Nutrition and diet Calcium, iron, hydration
​Week 9 Maintaining wellbeing	​Wellbeing and mental health Sleep
​Week 10 Assessment	​Refer to the VCE Dance Study Design for assessment formats