A delicate balance: raising hormonal health awareness among females in the Ballet Community

Current research on the infradian rhythm of the female hormonal cycle is severely lacking, especially as it applies to those involved in athletic pursuits. This lack of knowledge is even more apparent in the ballet community, where hormone-influencing conditions such as RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) are pervasive. Current evidence reveals that hormonal irregularities can have long-lasting mental and physical effects that can ultimately impair athletic performance, yet both anecdote and science illustrate that the current approaches being used to address them are fraught with misunderstanding and an overall lack of awareness. This project includes a research review to propose a demonstrated need for a shift in ballet culture and education that allows for female dancers to better understand how to attend to the unique function of their bodies on an individual basis while training in a pre-professional environment. It also details my personal efforts to create a RED-S and hormonal wellness awareness initiative within the School of Dance at the University of Utah to help improve the health of my own community. The initiative includes presentation of creative work exploring some themes from my research, as well as collaboration with the school's dancer support team on spreading helpful information. It is my hope that this process can be emulated and expanded in other dance settings in order to fuel further discussion on the issue.