Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

Karen Clippinger, MSPE, received her master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Washington in 1984. She is a professor emerita at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she taught functional anatomy for dance and dance science courses. She spearheaded the development of the bachelor’s degree in dance (option in dance science). Outside of CSULB, she taught anatomy or kinesiology for dancer credit courses at University of Calgary (2000), Scripps College (1999), and UCLA (1995-1998). Prior to her academic career, Clippinger worked as a clinical kinesiologist for 19 years, including at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she helped develop the medical program for performing artists. She has worked with hundreds of dancers and performers, including members of Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, Bill Evans and Company, Alwin Nikolais, and Cirque du Soleil. Clippinger also consulted for the U.S. Weightlifting Federation, U.S. Race Walking Team, California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and the Danish Wounded Warriors Project. Clippinger is a renowned international presenter who has given more than 450 presentations related to kinesiological considerations in Pilates, dance, and fitness. Her many dance presentations include faculty in-services for Cornish College of the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet as well as presentations for dance students at the American Dance Festival, Texas A&M, University of Calgary, and Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. Clippinger has written numerous articles, three chapters, and the second edition of this text. She coauthored Pilates Anatomy with Rael Isacowitz. She served as a founding coeditor in chief of Journal of Dance Medicine and Science (1996-2005) and in 2021 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science.

Chapter 1. Fundamental Anatomical Terms for Understanding Movement
Positional and Directional Terms
Rotary Motion, Anatomical Planes, and Axes
Joint Movement Terms
Summary

Chapter 2. The Skeletal System and Its Movements
Bone Composition and Structure
The Human Skeleton
Classification and Structure of Joints
Joint Mechanics in Functional Movement
Summary

Chapter 3. The Muscular System and Its Movements
Skeletal Muscle Properties
Microscopic Structure of a Muscle Fiber and Muscle Contraction
Muscle Architecture
Muscle Attachments to Bone
Contribution of Connective Tissue to Muscle Behavior
Muscles, Levers, and Rotary Motion
Types of Muscle Contraction and Torque
Muscular Considerations in Functional Movement
Muscles and Movement Analysis
Summary

Chapter 4. The Spine
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Spine
Joint Structure and Movements of the Vertebral Column
Description and Functions of Individual Muscles of the Spine
Muscular Analysis of Spinal Movements
Ideal Spinal Alignment and Common Deviations
Spinal Mechanics
Special Considerations for the Spine in Dance
Spine Injuries in Dancers
Summary

Chapter 5. The Pelvic Girdle and Hip Joint
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Hip Region
Joint Structure and Movements of the Pelvic Girdle
Joint Structure and Movements of the Hip
Description and Functions of Individual Hip Muscles
Muscular Analysis of Hip Movements
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Hip Region
Pelvic and Hip Mechanics
Special Considerations for the Hip Region in Dance
Hip Injuries in Dancers
Summary

Chapter 6. The Knee and Patellofemoral Joints
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Knee Region
Joint Structure and Movements of the Knee
Description and Functions of Individual Knee Muscles
Muscular Analysis of Knee Movements
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Knee
Knee Mechanics
Structure and Movements of the Patellofemoral Joint
Patellofemoral Alignment and the Q Angle
Patellofemoral Mechanics and Compression Forces
Special Considerations for the Knee Region in Dance
Knee Injuries in Dancers
Summary

Chapter 7. The Ankle and Foot
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Ankle and Foot
Joint Structure and Movements of the Ankle and Foot
Description and Functions of Individual Ankle–Foot Muscles
Muscular Analysis of Ankle–Foot Movements
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Ankle–Foot
Ankle–Foot Mechanics
Special Considerations for the Ankle and Foot in Dance
Ankle and Foot Injuries in Dancers
Summary

Chapter 8. The Upper Extremity
Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Shoulder Complex
Joint Structure and Movements of the Shoulder Girdle
Joint Structure and Movements of the Shoulder
Description and Functions of Individual Muscles of the Shoulder Complex
Muscular Analysis of Movements of the Shoulder Complex
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Shoulder Complex
Mechanics of the Shoulder Complex
Bones, Joint Structure, and Movements of the Elbow Joint
Description and Functions of Selected Individual Elbow Muscles
Muscular Analysis of Elbow Movements
Alignment and Common Deviations of the Elbow
Bones, Joint Structure, Movements, and Muscles of Selected Other Upper Extremity Joints
Special Considerations for the Upper Extremity in Dance
Upper Extremity Injuries in Dancers
Summary

Chapter 9. Summary and Applications
Structure, Alignment, and Mechanics of Key Joints
Key Muscles and Their Movements
Sample Conditioning Exercises
Observation and Corrective Measures for Key Alignment and Technique Problems
Anatomical Movement Analysis Schema for Whole-Body Movements
Sample Anatomical Movement Analysis with Research Supplements
Dance Movement Cues
Summary