The Flexibility and Diet of Jazz Dancers
Flexibility and a balanced diet are essential elements in the life of an athlete, including jazz dancers. Beyond looks, the care of joints and muscles is an essential key. This type of care is carried out not only with precise training but also with a carefully planned diet.
It’s well known that a balanced diet is necessary for your general health. In the case of those who dedicate themselves to dance, they’ll enjoy more benefits with diets focusing on micronutrients. These give flexibility and strength since dance moves have a specific demand.
Flexibility and diet for a better range of motion
Elasticity, optimal leg spread, and resistant cervical vertebrae are some of the qualities of professional jazz dancers. The mastery of their own strength is another skill they gain by dancing.
On the other hand, jazz dancers worry about keeping their muscles toned. Beyond the physical structure of each body, keeping body fat under control is one of the priorities for dance movements.
Thinking about flexibility and nutrition means providing the body with enough vitamins and minerals to keep it healthy. It’s not about reducing the consumption of fats, but selecting those foods that strengthen the body tissues.
When our bodies don’t get enough proteins, the connective tissues weaken, and a dancer can become injured when doing specific movements.
A dancer’s diet should be according to the specific needs of their body. Having meals in relation to the proteins and essential nutrient requirements will really favor the success of flexibility and nutrition.
On the other hand, “starvation” only weakens the body; over-demand leads to damage or injury.
The training secrets of jazz dancers
When it comes to dancing or any jazz choreography, you immediately see that dancers put their whole body into action. How do they get to be so flexible?
In order to achieve this flexibility, the secret -if we can call it that- a re bodybuilding routines and joint exercises.
A dancer’s daily training should include everything from fitness routines to yoga, going over Pilates and various bodywork disciplines. Muscle strength is essential for endurance and good posture.
Types of exercises
On one hand, there are isometric exercises, which refer to static muscle work. These are those in which a leg or arm is held high, exerting an effort directly with your muscles. That’s why stretching after doing these types of exercises is essential; during these exercises, the muscles contract intensely.
On the other hand, some calisthenic exercises involve various muscle groups that you work through movement. You can associate them with fitness squats. However, the difference is that jazz dancers must work out according to the steps of each ballet.
Food and nutrients
Nutrient-rich foods are necessary for both training phases. Balance, flexibility, and endurance need healthy bodies to function, both up and downstage. So, a diet that tones muscle fibers is the best way to do it.
The saying “we are what we eat” in the case of jazz dancer is perfectly true. The diets for dancers aren’t only about torso, leg and arm muscles. Certain balance postures make it necessary to eat foods that stimulate neurological development, such as nuts and cereals.
Adequate hydration is another important factor for toned muscles and joint flexibility; you should avoid the consumption of alcoholic drinks or tobacco.
Also, cardio as part of your training routine wouldn’t be successful without the proper intake of vegetables, fruits, and healthy drinks. Likewise, any training routine should include healthy and nutritious snacks.
In short, flexibility and diet are an unavoidable combination. Keeping muscle mass levels facilitates tissues regeneration and optimal joint action.
When you doubt the food you eat, it’s always preferable to consult with specialists. If possible, it’s convenient to consult with those related to specific sports areas.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Mutua navarra. Nutrición, vida activa y deporte. Extraído de: https://www.mutuanavarra.es/Portals/0/Documentos/nutricion_vida_activa_deporte.pdf
- Zambrano Leiton, Yuri Andrea; García Ortíz, Diego. 2014 . Flexibilidad en el deporte. Extraído de: http://bibliotecadigital.univalle.edu.co/bitstream/10893/7211/1/3484-0430890.pdf
- La flexibilidad. IES Las Llamas. Extraído de: http://www.ieslasllamas.com/apunt4flex.pdf