Are performing artists athletes, too?

When you think of athletes, you might picture players suited up in football pads, lacrosse gear, or soccer jerseys. However, performing arts athletes — such as dancers, figure skaters, and musicians — lead lives that are at least as physically demanding as those of traditional athletes, and they deserve the same level of specialized care.
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Arnold is joined by Dr. Ellen Geminiani, a Boston Children’s sports medicine physician and Team USA physician for U.S. Figure Skating, to explore the world of performing artist athletes. Together, they answer critical questions, including:
• What does it mean to be a performing artist athlete?
• How do their demands differ from those of traditional sports athletes?
• What challenges do they face, such as body image concerns and nutrition issues?
• What is relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), and how can it affect these athletes?
• What is Boston Children’s Performing Artist Athletes Program, and how does it support this population?
• Who is part of the multidisciplinary care team in this program?
• What can performing artist athletes do to prevent injuries, and what injuries are most common in this group?
• What research is being done to improve care for performing artist athletes?
• What are Dr. Geminiani’s “doctor’s orders” for families supporting performing artist athletes?
Performing artist athletes undergo rigorous physical demands that make them no less than sports athletes. Proper training, preparation, and care are essential not only for avoiding injuries but also for achieving long-term success.
Listen in as we uncover the intersection of the arts, athletics, and medicine, and learn how Boston Children’s is helping performing artist athletes reach their full potential.