Athletes and the Arts

Integrating the science of sport and the performing arts for the mutual benefit of both. Athletes and the Arts is an initiative focused on linking the sport athlete and musician/performing artist communities through collaborative exchange and application of wellness, training and performance research and initiatives.

Tim Lightfoot – Rockin Physiology – ACSM Presentation – May 31, 2014

Rockin’ Physiology is an exploration of the physical and mental stresses associated with performing musicians. Playing music can induce moderate to heavy physiological stress, especially during public performances. Speaker: Tim Lightfoot, PhD, FACSM, from the 2014 ACSM annual meeting.

More Than Just Marching Band

Every summer, hundreds, ages 15–21, join to compete in a unique activity that combines musical, mental, and physical skill, in an activity that usually isn’t considered a sport—drum corps.

For those who have marched in a corps or are veteran fans of the activity, trying to explain exactly what drum corps is isn’t an easy task. For those who are unfamiliar with the competition, it’s best described as professional marching band.

Athletes and the Arts – The Role of Sports Medicine in the Performing Arts

Performing artists are athletes. Like athletes, performing artists practice and/or perform most days with little off season, play through pain, “compete” in challenging environments, and risk career-threatening injury. Athletes and the Arts is a multiorganizational initiative linking the sport athlete and musician/performing artist communities.

Read abstract and full article by Randall W. Dick, MS, FACSM, et al, from ACSM’s Current Sports Medicine Reports.

A Fitness Swimmer in Four Movements

This challenge is not about time or victory; instead, it seeks timelessness and beauty. It’s about creating music, but it shares many parallels with swimming. Musicians and other performing artists know the feeling of stepping up, being exposed in front of a waiting crowd, and diving in.

Yet for classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim, who is comfortable on stage but not on the blocks, there was no dive. She showed up at the 2013 Spring Nationals without having practiced that part.

Performance Artists As Athletes

Sports scientists could help musicians and other artists endure the stresses of their craft.

(Inside Science) — They endure long hours of oft strenuous practice. The way to get better is to practice more, even when injured. For hours at a time, their hearts can beat at 65 percent of their maximum rate. Injuries are common, and there’s always someone waiting to take your spot.

Life in the arts can be tough.

Create

Create opportunities for performing artists and sport athletes to access and benefit from the established research, training and education of the other discipline.