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Ballet ScienceBody Image & Nutrition Knowledge in Collegiate DancersToday, we’re diving into a powerful piece of research that takes a closer look at how body image and nutrition knowledge intersect in the lives of collegiate dancers. The study we’re exploring is called “Negative Body Image and Limited NutritionKnowledge among Collegiate Dancers Signals Need for Screening and Support.” It was published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science in 2024, and it brings up some eye-opening findings that are worth discussing.Publication discussed in this episode:Douglas, C. C., Shahan, M., Camel, S. P., & Vogel, S. (2024). Negative Body Image and Limited...2025-07-2710 minBallet ScienceNew vs Dead Pointe Shoe BiomechanicsIn today’s episode, we’re exploring something every ballet dancer knows all too well—the pointe shoe. But what happens when that shoe wears out? How does a “dead” pointe shoe affect a dancer’s balance, muscle activity, and injury risk? We’ll be unpacking some of the latest research that compares new and dead pointe shoes and what it means for the dancers pushing their bodies to the limit in the studio and on the stage. Publication discussed in this episode:Aquino, J., Amasay, T., Shapiro, S., Kuo, Y. T., & Ambegaonkar, J. P. (2021). L...2025-07-2011 minBallet ScienceBallet and Multiple SclerosisIn this episode, we explore an emerging and exciting area in movement science: the potential benefits of ballet for individuals managing multiple sclerosis, or MS. Publication discussed in this episode:Scheidler, A. M., Kinnett-Hopkins, D., Learmonth, Y. C., Motl, R., & López-Ortiz, C. (2018). Targeted ballet program mitigates ataxia and improves balance in females with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis. Plos one, 13(10), e0205382.Watch this episode on YouTubeLogo photo: Richard Calmes2025-07-1312 minBallet ScienceGait Biomechanics in Professional Ballet DancersIn today’s episode, we explore biomechanics research examining how professional ballet dancers differ from young, healthy, and physically active adults in their gait during typical overground walking. The study specifically investigated differences in gait stability and key spatiotemporal metrics, including step length, step width, and walking speed.Publication discussed in this episode:Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2024). Dynamic gait stability and spatiotemporal gait parameters during overground walking in professional ballet dancers. Journal of dance medicine & science, 28(1), 28-36.Watch this episode on YouTubeLogo photo: Rich...2025-07-0615 minBallet SciencePointe Readiness | A Ballet Teacher's PerspectiveIn the second installment of this two-part series on Pointe Readiness, I share my perspective on when young dancers are ready for pointe work, drawing on my experience as a ballet teacher and blending that with my scientific background to provide a more holistic view.Watch this episode on YouTubeLogo photo: Richard Calmes2025-06-2919 minBallet SciencePointe Readiness | What the Research ShowsIn the first installment of this two-part series on Pointe Readiness, we explore current scientific research on ballet and examine when dancers may be prepared to begin pointe work.Publication discussed in this episode:Hough-Coles, K., & Wyon, M. (2022). Determining pointe readiness in young adolescent female dancers: a systematic review. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 26(4), 213-225.Watch this episode on YouTubeWatch a supplemental video on YouTube - Pointe Readiness TestsLogo photo: Richard Calmes2025-06-2222 minBallet ScienceBallet and Fall Prevention | Part 3In the final episode of our Ballet and Fall Prevention series, we take a closer look at the benefits of ballet for older adults and its potential to reduce fall risk. Join us as we bring the conversation full circle, exploring how ballet can play a role in fall prevention across the entire lifespan.Publications discussed in this episode: Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2024). Ballet practice improves neuromuscular and biomechanical responses to an unexpected standing-slip in older adults. Journal of Neurophysiology, 132(4), 1115-1125.Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2025). Recreational older ballet dancers adapt fa...2025-06-1529 minBallet ScienceBallet and Fall Prevention | Part 2Today’s episode is part 2 of the Ballet and Fall Prevention series. In this episode, we delve into a pilot study conducted with professional ballet dancers, where we investigated how they respond to unexpected balance disturbances - specifically, standing slips. We discuss the methodology, what we learned, and how this study helped lay the groundwork for future research.Publications discussed in this episode:Simpkins, C., Ahn, J., Shin, S., & Yang, F. (2022). Recovery from an unexpected standing-slip in professional ballet dancers. Journal of Biomechanics, 145, 111366. Simpkins, C., & Yang, F. (2023). Adaptation to repeated standing-slips in professional ba...2025-06-0823 minBallet ScienceBallet and Fall Prevention | Part 1Today, we are kicking off a three-part series on ballet and fall prevention. In this first episode, we discuss the science of falls and balance and explain how ballet training fits into this picture.Each week, we will 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 in...2025-06-0111 minBallet ScienceFrom Pointe Shoes to PhD | TrailerWelcome to the Ballet Science Podcast, where we bring science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveal how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. In this introductory episode, we meet Caroline Simpkins, PhD, a former ballerina turned researcher.Each week, we will 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 follow button and share it with your friends an...2025-06-0104 min
Journal of NeurophysiologyJNP Micro Podcasts: Enhancing Balance: How Ballet Practice Boosts Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Responses to Slips in Older AdultsIn this episode of the Journal of Neurophysiology's Podcast Series, coauthor Caroline Simpkins discusses the research titled "Ballet Practice Improves Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Responses to an Unexpected Standing-Slip in Older Adults." This study is the first to examine how older ballet dancers respond to an unexpected external slip while standing. Caroline shares fascinating findings that reveal how older ballet dancers have a reduced fall risk compared to their nondancer peers. This improved stability is attributed to quicker neuromuscular reactions, allowing dancers to execute a more effective recovery step and maintain greater balance against backward falls. Tune in to learn how ba...2025-01-0907 min
KUCI: Film SchoolEdge of Everything / Film School Radio interview with Co-directors Sophia Sobella & Pablo FeldmanStraddling the line between childhood and adulthood, 14 isn’t an easy age for anyone, least of all Abby (Sierra McCormick, The Vast of Night), who’s forced to find her way in the world after her mother’s death. On the cusp of turning 15 and at a delicate moment in life, she’s forced to move in with her father (Jason Butler Harner, Ozark) and his younger girlfriend (Sabina Friedman-Seitz). Feeling alone in the world, the angry and determined teen strikes up a possibly dangerous friendship with the carefree and rebellious Caroline (Ryan Simpkins, The Fear Street Trilogy, The House), while expl...2024-06-2516 min
Staggering Stories Podcast – Staggering Stories PodcastStaggering Stories Podcast #155: The Ranking of DoomSummary:
Adam J Purcell, Andy Simpkins, Fake Keith, Jean Riddler, the Real Keith Dunn and Scott Fuller continue cataloguing their favourite Doctor Who stories and a variety of other stuff, specifically:
00:00 – Intro and theme tune.
01:22 — Welcome!
02:37 – News:
02:46 — Doctor Who: Peter Jackson names his price.
04:08 — Firefly: Joss Whedon too busy to Kickstart.
06:59 — Doctor Who: Caroline Skinner: GONE!
10:22 — James Herbert: DEAD!
12:35 — Karen Gillan: Joins Adult Swim’s NTSF:SD:SUV.
14:22 — Doctor Who: Offical web site is a cesspit of spoilers.
15:52 — Justin Bieber: YouTube videos of death.
16:38 – Things in Five Words.
22:47 – Doctor Who: Favourite stories for each Doctor.
82:16 – Emails and listener feedback.* Hit us y...2013-03-311h 59Staggering Stories Podcast – Staggering Stories PodcastStaggering Stories Podcast #136: Staggering Stories Live 2012!Summary:
Adam J Purcell, Andy Simpkins, Fake Crumbly, Fake Keith, Jean Riddler and the Real Keith Dunn with special guests Luke Harrison and Siobhan Gallichan play the Doctor Who Trivia Smack Down Quiz, indulge in a very personal Fight Club, find some general news and a variety of riotous live behaviour (NOTE: with some bad language!), specifically:
00:00 – Intro and theme tune.
00:49 — Welcome!
02:39 – News:
03:05 — Doctor Who: Caroline John – Dead!
04:46 — Staggering Stories: We invaded Cardiff – Live!
06:68 – Doctor Who Trivia Smackdown.
35:55 – Fight Club: Jean vs. Fake Keith.
37:57 – 30 Second Recommendation: Kate Griffin’s The Minority Council novel.
41:12 – Farewell for this podcast!
42:03 — End theme, disclaimer, cop...2012-07-0842 min