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Pioneering study at the Ballet Academy shows measurable health improvements in ballet students

Pioneering study at the Ballet Academy shows measurable health improvements in ballet students

Focus on nutrition

7. July ’25

The Else Kröner Fresenius Centre (EKFZ) for Nutritional Medicine at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with the Ballet Academy at our university, has conducted an innovative scientific study on the effect of nutritional interventions in ballet students. The results, published in the journal »BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health«, provide convincing evidence that targeted nutritional programmes can sustainably improve the physical health and eating behaviour of young dancers.

The quantitative study was led by Dr. Dora Meyer, nutrition expert at the Ballet Academy of the HMTM and research staff at the Institute of Nutritional Medicine, which is part of the EKFZ. Marc Geifes, lecturer for Dance Medicine at the Ballet Academy, played a key role in the realisation of the study.

The results of the study show that structured nutritional education is not only necessary, but can also be practicably integrated into professional ballet training. In an environment that is often characterised by slimness-oriented body ideals, the programme on which the study is based offers a health-oriented and sustainable alternative.

Dora Meyer emphasises:
»Dancers are both artists and competitive athletes. It is crucial that we give them not only technique, but also knowledge and habits for a healthy life.«

Marc Geifes adds: »This initiative is part of our overarching goal of focussing on evidence-based dance medicine and the well-being of our students.«

The Ballet Academy of the HMTM is using the results to further develop its curriculum and health policy. The study was funded by the Else Kröner Fresenius Centre for Nutritional Medicine and the Technical University of Munich.

The study in detail: https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2025/04/09/bmjnph-2024-001154

Description of the measures in the study:

In the academic year 2022/2023, 27 students aged 15 to 18 years participated in a comprehensive, curriculum-integrated nutrition unit. The programme included:

two interactive workshops on basic and sports nutrition, hydration and body image
four practical cooking classes focusing on healthy meal planning, budget-conscious shopping and key cooking techniques
a special seminar for female dancers on the risks of low energy availability and its impact on women’s health
two one-to-one personal counselling sessions to develop individual nutritional goals

The aim was to impart evidence-based and age-appropriate nutritional skills that support intensive physical training, promote healthy eating habits and counteract the body image prevalent in the ballet world.

Measurable improvements in health

After completing the programme, students reported greater confidence in choosing healthy foods, timing meals in relation to training or planning snacks. The dancers showed statistically significant increases in body mass index and lean body mass – both important indicators of strength, injury prevention and general health. While the average values in a screening questionnaire on eating disorders did not change significantly, the number of students with clinically abnormal values fell from six to two. The programme received a very positive evaluation from the participants. The practical cookery courses and individual nutritional advice were particularly appreciated.

The Ballet Academy of the HMTM

The Ballet Academy of the HMTM is a leading international institution for the training of professional stage dancers and the only state training institution for professional stage dance in the Free State of Bavaria. In total, more than 100 young talents study at the Ballet Academy, including children aged 8 to approx. 15 years in the young student programme and teenagers and young adults aged approx. 16 to approx. 20 years in the Bachelor’s programme and in a master class programme in cooperation with the Bavarian Junior Ballet Munich.

Since October 2020, the pedagogical concept, which focuses on the holistic development of young dancers, has formed the binding basis for all teachers in the study programmes at the HMTM Ballet Academy. This concept not only makes the training content and objectives of the Ballet Academy transparent, but also describes the values of the training work and creates clear feedback and complaints structures. The pedagogical concept was supplemented in the summer semester of 2024 by a clear health policy for the Ballet Academy. The health policy firmly integrates measures and standards from the fields of dance medicine, nutritional science and mental health into everyday study life at the Ballet Academy.

The Ballet Academy was founded in the academic year 1964/1965 as part of today’s University of Music and Theatre Munich. It has thus stood for professional and vocational ballet training for over fifty years.

Further information: https://hmtm.de/ballett-akademie/

Dr. Dorothy Marie Meyer

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Marc Geifes

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