Reading: Optimizing Dance Performance

Reading: Optimizing Dance Performance (Prof. Dr. Duncan Meuffels)

Movement is a fundamental pillar of human health, and dance represents the most refined and expressive forms. Dance not only sustains physical well-being but also requires the precision, resilience, and infrastructure traditionally associated with elite sports. Drawing on decades of insights from professional football and Olympic-level performance, the principles of orthopaedics and sports medicine, organisation, logistics, and athlete support can—and should—be integrated into dance. A dancer is an artist in an athletes’ body, whose performance and longevity depend on structured care. This is a call to action to elevate the standard of care in dance to ensure that movement continues to enrich, inspire, and heal.