Why do figure skaters train so intensely, to the point where the body beings to experience a physical toll?
Figure skating is a highly intensive and demanding sport, so much so that it is not uncommon for skaters to be injured during training and practicing. However, experiencing pain can become normalised and in some situations dismissed in the figure skating world. Figure skating allows another understanding of pain and how it is embodied. Why do figure skaters train so intensely, to the point where the body begins to experience a physical toll?
Experiencing pain is inevitable when training in figure skating. Due to the complexity of certain movements and techniques it is consequently a high demanding sport that requires tenacious training where the body will experience pain and stress. However, to what extent should the body tolerate pain? McEwen and Young (2011) explain the concept of the ‘pain principle’ whereby dancers will inevitably experience pain, however, one’s worth is determined by their tolerance and endurance of pain – what makes the most talented and exceptional dancer is their pain tolerance. Their research evolved around interviewing dancers, specifically ballet dancers, and discussing their experiences with handling pain. Their work reveals the intense and dark aspects of dancing culture. They draw their discussions by explaining the different forms of pain that arise from the ‘pain principle’, looking at hidden pain, unwelcomed or welcomed pain. Their discussion on pain explain the reasoning behind experiencing pain and normalising it within dancing culture. To hide pain was to withhold a high reputation and be qualified a worthy dancer, whilst those who expressed pain might be deemed weak and therefore unworthy to be a dancer. The body is forced to withstand the pain as there are many underlining pressures placed on dancers. Pain almost becomes a taboo and hidden in the dancing world.
Figure skating is a high-risk sport. To be able to dance on ice whilst maintaining a balance using thin blades is enough to reveal that figure skating can be extremely dangerous if performed incorrectly. What makes figure skating an exciting sport to watch or perform is the risk and complexity of certain moves. Seeing figure skaters confidently perform dangerous moves whilst on ice adds another layer of excitement from the audiences’ perspective. To create an interesting performance there has to be an element of risk, that risk being the product of pain. Pain, in this case, can be seen as a motivator for figure skaters. Pain enables figure skaters to further push themselves. King (2005) discusses the technical aspect to tripe and quadruple figure skating jumps, explaining the difficulty of certain moves. His point however highlights the relationship between pain and art. The artistry of figure skating is partially due to the athletic prowess that figure skaters wield. In the past several years figure skating has become even more demanding, setting higher expectations for figure skaters (Rodgers, et al., 1991). What makes figure skaters nowadays slightly more impressive is the new extremes they are expected to achieve. To be able to achieve such an ability that demonstrates strength, flexibility and balance is the product from years of intense workout and physical pain. Figure skating becomes a more fascinating sport to watch due to the culture of risk that evolves around it.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir dancing to ‘Moulin Rouge’
Figure skating is a unique form of sport as it can also be a form of art (as discussed in the first blog post). It is not just built for competing but performing emotional and artistic pieces. Fraleigh (2015) claims that presentation and performance is part of an important ritual of healing. Performing allows for connections between dancers and audiences to be established, and that is part of the art within figure skating. Fraleigh argues that although there are risks and elements of pain within dancing, the pain allows a cycle of learning and healing to be established. This concept almost appears to juxtapose, to be able to experience ‘healing’ one must forcefully go through an experience of ‘pain’. Pain becomes a part of a figure skater’s identity. To become an experienced and talented figure skater requires the sacrifice of undergoing pain. Practicing certain moves multiple times will result with pain, however, such a path is necessary sometimes to be able to perfect a performance (Coates and Demers, 2019). Going into the world of dancing and figure skating requires one to acknowledge that experiencing pain is inevitable, however, such pain can result with an overall ‘healing’ experience.
This blog post has clarified multiple reasons as to why figure skaters tolerate forms of pain. It has exposed the dark elements of the dancing world and culture through the ‘pain principle’, looking at pain as a motivation for skating and creating exciting performances but also pain as a form of healing. Pain can be embodied through many ways, and within the figure skating world dancers can decide for various reasons how they choose to embody pain.
References
Coates, E., Demers, S. (2019). Physcis and Dance: Motion. Yale University Press, pp.38-52.
Fraleigh, S. (2015). Moving Consciously: Somatic Transformations through Dance, Yoga, and Touch. University of Illnois Press, pp.213-226.
King, D. (2005). Performing Triple and Quadruple Figure Skating Jumps: Implications for Training. Can. J. Appl. Physiol., (30)(6), pp.743-753.
McEwen, K., Young, K. (2011). Ballet and Pain: Reflections on a Risk-Dance Culture, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 3(2), pp.152-173.
Rodgers, W., Hall, C., Buck, E. (1991). The Effect of an Imagery Training Program on Imagery Ability, Imagery Use, and Figure Skating Performance. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 3(2), pp.109-125.
Yasmin's Figure Skating Blog 