Abstract
Although it is not always realised, the demands placed on the musculoskeletal system of performing artists at least resemble the demands placed upon elite athletes [1]. Moreover, the performer is driven according to the demands of the composer or choreographer, in turn interpreted by the conductor or artistic director to achieve a performance that delivers a profit for management. This contrasts with the world of sport where, to some extent, athletes can pace themselves in their training and events. Whilst dance requires athleticism of the whole body, musicians are largely athletes of the arms whilst singers and actors are athletes of the throat and larynx, though in some art forms such as physical theatre and circus, these boundaries are crossed. Arguably, the psychological demands on the performer are greater than those of the athlete, with stage fright always a potential concern.
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Bird, H.A. (2016). Expert Care of the Performing Artist. In: Performing Arts Medicine in Clinical Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12427-8_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12427-8_1
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