Fatigue and recovery in ballet: Exploring the experiences of professional South African ballet dancers

Abstract

Background Professional South African ballet dancers face a higher risk of overuse injuries and overtraining syndrome as compared to dancers from other countries; especially towards the end of a ballet season. Fatigue is a major factor leading to overtraining syndrome and injuries in professional ballet dancers. The study aimed to explore the fatigue and recovery experiences of South African ballet dancers, highlighting how they navigate these aspects and the strategies they employ for recovery. Methods Snowball sampling was employed to recruit ten professional South African ballet dancers. Between March and June 2023, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted online using Microsoft Teams. The interview schedule, informed by previous research, delved into the dancers’ fatigue and recovery experiences. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Seven main themes were developed from the data. Participants distinguished between mental and physical fatigue, highlighting the impact of mental fatigue on their well-being. They identified factors contributing to fatigue, including high external pressure, motivated behaviours, and expectations from audiences and management. These contributors often resulted in injuries, mandatory breaks, and sub-optimal performance. Participants accepted fatigue as inherent to their profession, emphasising mental resilience. Recovery practices included psychological, nutritional, and active strategies. The COVID-19 lockdown provided a respite from external pressures, allowing for improved recovery, but participants faced challenges upon returning to work. Gradually increasing practice time and exposure to external pressures assisted ballet dancers in effectively managing fatigue and enhancing their recovery as they returned to work. Conclusion This study offers a perspective of fatigue and recovery in a sample of professional ballet dancers in South Africa. It emphasises the ongoing significance of fatigue and recovery and the necessity for effective strategies by arts organisations, mental health professionals, and academic researchers to support artists. The insights gained from this research could be crucial in redesigning training programs for dancers, adjusting training intensity and volume to enhance performance, and promoting recovery. Furthermore, this information serves as a strong rationale for adopting a holistic approach to fatigue and recovery, emphasising the importance of a collaborative effort to address these aspects effectively.