Ballet Science

Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.

The Ballet Science Podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former professional ballerina turned biomechanics researcher. Each week, the podcast brings science into the ballet studio, exploring the intersection of ballet, dance science, and human movement. Topics include injury prevention, biomechanics, strength, nutrition, mindset, and performance. Discover how the science of ballet can help dancers (and anyone who moves) perform and feel their best.

  1. 2일 전

    Can Dance Reduce Falls in Parkinson’s? (My Research Explained)

    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 balanceWhat an effect size means (in simple terms)Whether certain dance styles work better than othersWhy duration matters more than styleThe science behind why dance works (neurology + biomechanics)What this means for real-world fall risk and independenceThis 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. Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    10분

  2. 3월 31일

    Can Dance Slow Brain Aging? Here's What Research Found

    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 functionWhy dance may stimulate neuroplasticityWhether dance is actually better than other forms of exerciseWhat 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. Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    10분

  3. 3월 24일

    What Happens to Your Feet After Ballet… and How to Fix It | Ance Recovery Sneakers

    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 bodyWhy your feet feel so sore after class or rehearsalThe role of compression, acupressure, and alignmentWide toe boxes, plantar fasciitis, and foot healthWhether 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! Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Connect with Ance: WebsiteInstagram 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    25분

  4. 3월 17일

    Why People Should Care About Ballet

    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 languageThe power of live performance and orchestral musicBallet as elite human athletic performanceWhat biomechanics and neuroscience reveal about danceHow ballet training influences balance, coordination, and motor controlWhy 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. Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    9분

  5. 3월 10일

    Why Your Brain Loves Ballet | The Neuroscience Of Dance

    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 movementThe cerebellum’s role in balance and precisionHow the basal ganglia automate choreographyNeuroplasticity and motor learning in actionWhy ballet is high-level cognitive multitaskingThe 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! Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    6분
  6. Backstage: Why Dance Science Exists

    3월 5일 ·  보너스

    Backstage: Why Dance Science Exists

    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 proofWhat research reveals about how ballet improves balanceWhy data matters in medicine and public healthHow research protects dancers from myths and injuryWhy 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: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    6분

  7. 3월 3일

    Why Your Heart Loves Ballet | The Cardiovascular Science

    What if ballet class is training more than your turnout? In this episode, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina and PhD in biomechanics) breaks down the cardiovascular physiology of ballet. We explore: What happens to your heart during barre, center, adagio, and allegroWhy ballet counts as intermittent cardiovascular trainingHow stroke volume and cardiac output adapt over timeWhy even slow combinations increase heart demandThe connection between ballet, fall prevention, and healthy agingHow breath, posture, and emotion influence your cardiovascular system Ballet isn’t just aesthetic training. It challenges the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular systems simultaneously. Whether you're 16 or 60, your heart is adapting every time you step into class. Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    6분

  8. 2월 24일

    Airline Pilot Learns Ballet as an Adult | Christopher Marici

    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 brain. We discuss: What a pilot’s day-to-day is really likeThe mental load of the jobWhat it’s like to be a true beginner as an adultWhy adult ballet can be a “reset” after high-stress work If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with an adult dancer (or someone who’s been thinking about trying ballet)! ⁠Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Connect with Christopher Marici: Instagram⁠ 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    35분
모두 보기(52개)

예고편

소개

The Ballet Science Podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former professional ballerina turned biomechanics researcher. Each week, the podcast brings science into the ballet studio, exploring the intersection of ballet, dance science, and human movement. Topics include injury prevention, biomechanics, strength, nutrition, mindset, and performance. Discover how the science of ballet can help dancers (and anyone who moves) perform and feel their best.

정보

  • 제작진
    Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • 방송 연도
    2025년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    52
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Ballet Science

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