Health and performance
Concern for health and welfare is a crucial investment when it comes to improving the quality and extent of a professional podium career. Students at the Academy of Theatre and Dance/ Dutch National Ballet Academy endure a high degree of physical and mental stress. It is essential therefore, that a student learns to adopt a responsible way of working. Moreover, the study program and the future employer are co-responsible for a healthy environment, conducive to study and work.
Since the start of the 1990s, the Dance sub-faculty of the Amsterdam Academy of Theatre and Dance has steadily developed a unique Health Program. The program consists of three parts: education, advice and guidance and research.
Consulting hours
Consulting hours give students the opportunity to raise individual questions or physical and/or psychological complaints. Problems can then be identified at an early stage and if necessary, guidance can be offered. In the case of injury, a recovery program will be compiled. A student may seek help at his/her own initiative or be referred by a study supervisor, mentor or teacher. The consulting hours have an advisory and educational function. No treatment is given.
Students can choose from a diverse range of consulting hours
- Consulting hour – posture and movement, injury prevention.
By a physio-manual therapist and a Mensendieck exercise therapist - Consulting hour – nutrition.
By a dietician - Consulting hour – psychological counselling.
By a psychologist - Health and well-being
By the coordinator of the Health & Performance department
Advice referral
If (para) medical treatment is necessary, the Health Team can give specific advice. The team is affiliated with a network of specialized healthcare professionals (for example, general practitioner, Manual-, Physiotherapist, Mensendieck Therapist, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dietician, Psychologist and Psychomotor Therapist, Osteopath).
Screenings
NBA students will join a mandatory structural screening and a functional screening through the department Health & Performance upon entering NBA. Results of both screenings are shared with the student during a ‘follow-up’ meeting by a member of the Health & Performance team.
If students want to or need another medical check-up they should ask their private general practitioner who should in turn share any relevant results with NBA’s Health Representative.
General Info
- Students should share with NBA’s Health Representative all relevant information pertaining to the practice of NBA’s training.
- NBA’s Health Representative should collect all health data so the doctors, students and NBA can consult these records in case of need.
- There will be an agreement of confidentiality between the three parties.
- All this data will go into the students medical record and therefore at the disposal of students and NBA’s Health Representative if necessary.
- None of this data can be used outside the school files and purposes.
- If any underweight or overweight concerns were to be raised by NBA, it would then be addressed immediately to Health & Performance team and student in order to advise or set up an appropriate treatment plan.
- Health & Performance team will offer - with the approval and in consultation with families - the services of an in-house psychologist and nutritionist who will serve as advisors. In case of necessary treatment, student will be referred to an external specialist.