Core Training in Dance: Analyzing the Plank

Director of Dance Susan Haines presented her research on core training for dancers at the annual conference for the Dance Science and Somatic Educators in Salt Lake City, Utah July 16-19, 2026.

Planks abound in the dance and conditioning realm and are recognized as an effective exercise to build core strength. Without the appropriate upper body strength, the plank can create more issues than it solves, including injuries to the lumbar spine, shoulder, neck, and pelvic floor. It is also important to examine whether planking can support inclusive practices in training for diverse bodies.

Dance science practitioners will learn protocols that establish core control through intra-abdominal pressure, negotiation of stability/mobility through the oblique slings and counter-spirals, neurological core reaction training, and upper/lower body stability training for planks that are tailored to the training needs of their students and clients.