Have you ever wondered what is meant by a sprung floor? And why a sprung floor is important for dancers?
As we have commenced the construction of our new studio space 'Stage Left' it has come to my attention that many people don't seem to know what a sprung floor is and why it is important. For dancers, it is imperative that they do not train on tarkett or timber directly applied over concrete. Lisa Howell (dance specialist physiotherapist) from The Ballet Blog writes 'Simply laying a Tarkett over concrete is not good enough for even recreational dancers'.
If the underlying surface has no 'give' this significantly impacts the ability of a dancer to perform at their best and can lead to injuries.
The sprung floor is a surface that can absorb the impact made by the movement of the body through space. As our dancers jump, turn, twirl and leap their joints are protected by the surface offering a level of shock absorbtion that regular concrete, tiles or timber over concrete cannot. Our sprung dance floors are of two differing constructions.
The one in The Dance Space is of a more traditional construction - with high density foam 'feet' at 300mm centres across the entire floor, followed by 'stringers' laid at 90 degree angles to each other, then a layer of plywood followed by tarkett.
Our new floor in Stage Left (pictured above) is of a more modern construction - with pre-fabricated sprung flooring solution with each panel having approximately 9 strips of high density foam offering a minimum of 60% progressive and consistent shock absorption. This floor will also have tarkett laid on the surface making it ideal for all dance forms.
What are the dangers of consistently dancing on an un-sprung floor???
Initially training on an incorrect surface can lead to sore knees and lower back. This can progress to foot, ankle, knee, hip and back complaints and unfortunately can lead to shin splints, compartment syndrome and even stress fractures.
We spend a great deal of our class time learning correct technique to ensure our dancers bodies are trained and capable of performing the most advanced skills for their age - making sure they have the correct surface to train on is really a no-brainer!
Looking for the best training for your dancer? We offer classes for dancers from 2 years through to adult. Book online today - or send us a message if you have any queries.