What if one of the biggest predictors of injury in ballet isn’t weak ankles or poor technique... but your brain?

In this episode, we dive into the science of mental fatigue in ballet dancers and how it impacts performance, learning, and injury risk. Based on recent research on professional ballet dancers, this episode explores how cognitive overload, choreography demands, and sustained focus contribute to fatigue, and why that may lead to injuries like sprained ankles.

Key topics covered:

• What mental fatigue actually is (and why it’s not just “being tired”)
• Why ballet is as cognitively demanding as it is physical
• The link between mental fatigue and injury risk
• How dancers experience mental fatigue in rehearsal and performance
• Practical strategies dancers use to manage fatigue
• Why this research matters for dancers, teachers, and training environmentsThis episode is especially important for anyone interested in dance science, injury prevention, and performance optimization.

Research publication:

Wirdnam, M., Ferrar, K., Mayes, S., MacMahon, C., Cook, J., & Rio, E. (2024). “A sprained ankle is the biggest sign of mental fatigue”: A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of mental fatigue in professional ballet. Physical therapy in sport, 65, 154-161.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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Ballet looks effortless... but if you’ve ever tried it, you know that’s far from the truth. So why is ballet so hard… and why is it harder than it looks? In this video, we break down the science behind ballet technique, including biomechanics, balance, motor control, and strength. From controlling your center of mass to managing a high cognitive load, ballet challenges both your body and your brain in ways most people don’t realize.

You’ll learn:

• Why ballet is designed to look easy (even when it’s not)
• The biomechanics of balance and dynamic stability
• Why your brain feels overwhelmed in ballet class
• How turnout challenges your natural alignment
• Why ballet requires strength in the hardest positions
• The real difference between beginner and professional dancers

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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How do ballet dancers balance on their toes in pointe shoes? Learn the science and anatomy of pointe work, including ballet biomechanics, pointe shoe mechanics, and how dancers safely balance their center of mass on their toes in ballet technique.

If you’ve ever tried standing on your toes, you know it feels impossible. But the truth is, it’s not just strong feet or natural talent... it’s physics, biomechanics, and years of neuromuscular training that allow ballerinas to control extreme forces on such a small surface area.In this episode, we break down:

• Why pointe work creates extremely high pressure
• How alignment reduces injury risk
• What pointe shoes actually do (and don’t do)
• The full-body muscle coordination required for balance
• Why pointe training takes years... not months

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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What if dance could do more than build technique… what if it could change how we connect with others? In this video, we break down scientific research examining how dance impacts individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

We explore:

👉 Whether dance improves overall ASD symptoms

👉 The powerful effects on social interaction and communication

👉 Why empathy did not significantly change

👉 The neuroscience behind movement, connection, and learning

👉 What this means for dancers, teachers, clinicians, and families

Research Publication:

Chen, T., Wen, R., Liu, H., Zhong, X., & Jiang, C. (2022). Dance intervention for negative symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 47, 101565.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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What if dance could actually help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their balance... and potentially reduce their risk of falling?

In this episode, I break down one of my own research studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials (612 participants) examining how dance impacts balance in Parkinson’s disease... and the results might surprise you.

We’ll cover:

• Whether dance actually improves balance
• What an effect size means (in simple terms)
• Whether certain dance styles work better than others
• Why duration matters more than style
• The science behind why dance works (neurology + biomechanics)
• What this means for real-world fall risk and independence

This isn’t just theory... this is high-level clinical evidence translated into real, practical insights. If you're a dancer, teacher, clinician, or just curious about how movement impacts the body and brain, this episode is for you.

Publication Discussed:

Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2023). Do dance style and intervention duration matter in improving balance among people with Parkinson’s disease? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Parkinsonism & related disorders, 106, 105231.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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What if dance could actually change your brain? Not just how you feel... but how your brain functions over time. In this video we break down a systematic review and meta-analysis (one of the highest levels of scientific evidence) to answer a powerful question: Can dance improve cognitive function and help protect against decline as we age?

We’ll cover:

• What the research says about memory, attention, and executive function
• Why dance may stimulate neuroplasticity
• Whether dance is actually better than other forms of exercise
• What this means for dancers, adults, and aging populations

This isn’t just “exercise is good for you.” This is measurable, clinical data on how movement impacts the brain.

Publication Discussed:

Hewston P, Kennedy CC, Borhan S, Merom D, Santaguida P, Ioannidis G, Marr S, Santesso N, Thabane L, Bray S, Papaioannou A. Effects of dance on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2021 Jun 28;50(4):1084-1092. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afaa270. PMID: 33338209.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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What actually happens to your feet after a long day of ballet… and can recovery shoes really help? I sit down with Kunal Moudgil, co-founder of Ance Recovery Sneakers, to break down the science behind recovery footwear, and what it means for dancers.

We talk about:

• What “recovery” actually means for the body
• Why your feet feel so sore after class or rehearsal
• The role of compression, acupressure, and alignment
• Wide toe boxes, plantar fasciitis, and foot health
• Whether recovery shoes are backed by science (yet 👀)
• The future of footwear for dancers and athletes

If you’ve ever come home from ballet with aching feet… or wondered how to support your body for longevity, this video is for you!

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Want to try Ance recovery sneakers?

Use this code for a special discount: ballet.science15

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Recently, a comment circulated online from actor Timothée Chalamet claiming that “no one cares about ballet.”

Whether the remark was serious or joking, it sparked a lot of conversation in the dance world. Instead of debating the comment itself, this video asks a deeper question: Why should people care about ballet?

When you look at ballet through the lenses of art, science, culture, and human movement, it becomes clear that ballet is much more than a niche performance genre. Ballet sits at a fascinating intersection of storytelling, music, athleticism, neuroscience, and human expression.

In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, we explore why ballet matters not just to dancers... but to society as a whole.

Topics include:

• Ballet as a universal storytelling language
• The power of live performance and orchestral music
• Ballet as elite human athletic performance
• What biomechanics and neuroscience reveal about dance
• How ballet training influences balance, coordination, and motor control
• Why supporting the arts matters for culture and society

Ballet has endured for centuries because it connects art, movement, music, and emotion in a uniquely human way. And when societies support the arts... whether it's dance, film, theater, or music... they invest in creativity, imagination, and shared cultural experiences.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:

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Have you ever left ballet class feeling mentally exhausted... even if it wasn’t the most physically intense class? That’s not random!

In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience behind ballet training and why your brain thrives on it.

We explore:

• How the motor cortex initiates every movement
• The cerebellum’s role in balance and precision
• How the basal ganglia automate choreography
• Neuroplasticity and motor learning in action
• Why ballet is high-level cognitive multitasking
• The connection between dance, executive function, and healthy aging

Ballet isn’t just muscle training. It’s neural pathway training.

From coordination and rhythm to memory and spatial awareness, ballet challenges multiple brain systems simultaneously, which is exactly why it can feel so mentally demanding.And across the lifespan? That complexity matters!

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Connect With Ballet Science:

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• E-mail: [email protected]

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Backstage is a Ballet Science bonus series featuring short reflections on lessons learned as a professional ballerina and ballet teacher, and how biomechanics and research later helped explain them. Quick insights at the intersection of studio experience and science.

If ballet obviously improves balance… why do we need to study it in research?

This is a question I receive often, especially when discussing research on ballet, balance, and fall prevention. Honestly, I understand the reaction. If you’ve trained in ballet or watched dancers move, the benefits can feel self-evident.

In this episode, I explain why “obvious” isn’t the same as evidence... and why dance science research is essential if we want ballet to be respected in healthcare, injury prevention, aging research, and beyond.

We cover:

• Why common sense isn’t scientific proof
• What research reveals about how ballet improves balance
• Why data matters in medicine and public health
• How research protects dancers from myths and injury
• Why ballet needs measurable evidence to scale its impact

As both a former professional ballerina and a PhD in biomechanics, I’ve lived on both sides... the studio and the lab. I truly believe ballet deserves a seat at the scientific table.

Join the Ballet Science E-mail List

Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Ballet Science:

• ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠
• E-mail: [email protected]

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo Photo: Richard Calmes