Sarah Needham-Beck – The Science of Dance

Sarah Needham-Beck – The Science of Dance

From Dance Med Spotlight by Alyssa Arms

September 18, 2025 · 52 min

About this episode

Dr. Sarah Needham-Beck discusses the integration of science and artistry in dance training and performance.

In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight , host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Dr. Sarah Needham-Beck, PhD, FIADMS—a lecturer and researcher in Dance Science and Applied Physiology at the University of Chichester, freelance consultant, and board member for IADMS. Dr. Beck brings her expertise in applied physiology and quantitative research to the conversation, focusing on how dancers, educators, and companies can use data to support training and performance. Rather than viewing research as restrictive, she encourages embracing it as a supportive tool that enhances both health and artistry. Episode Overview Dance is both highly physical and deeply artistic. Understanding the body’s responses to training, rehearsals, and performances can help dancers train smarter, reduce injury risk, and optimize performance. In this episode, Dr. Beck explains how everything from simple personal journaling to advanced monitoring systems in professional companies can provide insights that elevate dance training without taking away from creativity. Key Highlights Physiological Demands of Dance : Exploring how the body responds across different types of training and performance. Integrating…

People in this episode

Host: Alyssa Arms

Guest: Sarah Needham-Beck

Topics covered

  • Dance Science
  • Applied Physiology
  • Training and Performance
  • Injury Prevention
  • Data in Dance

Keywords

  • dance
  • physiology
  • training
  • performance
  • injury prevention
  • data
  • research
  • artistry

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Chichester, IADMS

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