CAS in Dance Science: Health & Performance

The CAS Dance Science: Health & Performance of the University of Bern comprises 16 ECTS points and is part of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Dance Science. The CAS programme can also be completed separately

The programme comprises 22 course days (147 contact hours) and 16 ECTS-points (ca. 480 working hours in total)

Teaching language is English.

Target audience

The continuing education programme in Dance Science addresses the following target audience from the field of movement, sports, and dance:

• Dance professionals (dancers, teachers, choreographers)
• Artistic directors of schools, dance companies and theatres
• Human Movement Scientists/Sport Scientists
• Physical education teachers
• Physiotherapists, Mensendiek-therapists, Osteopaths, Alexander-, Feldenkrais-, Spiraldynamik-, Pilates- or Gyrotonic instructors
• Experts in the area of medicine, psychology, pedagogy and education, nutrition, biology and biomechanics

Field of application

Graduates of the MAS/CAS in Dance Science are able to apply their knowledge in several ways:

• They are able to improve the training and health of students, professional and amateur dancers through evidenced-based programmes that are both age and population specific.
• They are able to collaborate in scientific research in the field of dance or sport science.
• They are able to teach Dance Science principles in vocational dance programmes (e.g., dance or dance pedagogy).
• They are able to advise directors of dance companies and schools/institutions on well-balanced and healthy training principles, as well as pedagogically responsible training for children, young adults and the elderly.
• They are able to advise the leaders of senior care facilities on the implementation of dance training for the elderly that can improve their quality of life.
• They are able to continue working professional as better-informed dancers, dance teachers or therapists.

Dates

16 ECTS points will be acquired within seven months (July - February). The CAS programme in Dance Science: Health & Performance starts with an intensive week in July/August followed by contact hours on one weekend a month (150 contact hours and 330 hours of self-study). The programme starts every other year in august of odd years  2025, 2027...) and takes place in Bern (Switzerland).

Dates 2025/26

Intensive week: 14 July - 18 July 2025
Weekend 1: 29 - 31 August 2025
Weekend 2: 20 / 21 September 2025
Weekend 3: 4 / 5 October 2025
Weekend 4: 31 October - 2 November 2025
Weekend 5: 29 / 30 November 2025
Weekend 6: 10 / 11 January 2026
Weekend 7: 28 February / 1 March 2026I

Module 1: The Healthy Dancer’s Body

4 x 2 days (4 ECTS points)

Dance is an art form that involves intensive physical activity. The body is the dancers’ instrument. Therefore, the dancers should take care of and nourish it properly. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, training principles and psychology promotes the health and well-being of novice and professional dancers. This module examines common injuries in dance as well as bodily and cognitive adaptations of dance training on several population groups.

Block 1 Anatomy

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Basic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system
• Adaptation of the human musculoskeletal system to professional dance
• Anatomical characteristics of children, young adults, the elderly and people with disabilities

Block 2 Neuroscience

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Structure and function of the brain
• Neural basics of consciousness, perception, learning and memory over lifespan
• Dance and cognition
• Neurocognitive processes of the audience when watching dance

Block 3 Orthopaedics and Traumatology

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Basic overview of specific dance injuries
• Injuries in dance with emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation
• Dance related injuries: the spine, the lower extremity and the foot
• First aid and emergencies in dance
• Management of dance injuries

Block 4 Nutrition 

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Introduction to nutrition
• Specific requirements of nutrient intake in dance
• The influence of nutrition on training
• Discussion of common diets from a scientific perspective

Module 2: The Healthy Dancer’s Performance

4 x 2 days (4 ECTS points)

The key focus of this module is on the relationship between health and performing in novice and professional dancers. How can dance performance be optimised from anatomical, physiological and psychological view-points? How can emotional health be maintained when partaking in this physically and emotionally demanding activity? Aspects of exercise physiology, prevention and rehabilitation for dancers as well as stress management, and reduction in dance class and performance will be discussed.

Block 1 Psychology and communication

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Basics of emotional intelligence in dance
• Theoretical and practical input on emotional intelligence as a methodological tool
• Emotions in the dance lesson
• Handling of stressors and stress management
• Development of emotionally intelligent solutions that can be transferred into one’s own dance practice

Block 2 Physiology

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• General physiology
• Exercise physiology
• Physiological adaptations across a lifespan

Block 3 Prevention, rehabilitation and occupational medicine

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Impact of the work environment on the susceptibility and frequency of injuries in dancers
• Prevention and rehabilitation of dance injuries

Block 4 Dance with children, 50+, and less-abled populations

2 days (1 ECTS point)

• Developmental, anatomical and physiological characteristics of a children's, aging or disabled body
• Dance as a prevention of and rehabilitation from comorbidities currently impacting global healthcare
• Practical examples in dealing with special groups

Module 3: Critical Approaches to Dance Medicine and Science

1 day and 1 x 3 days (5 ECTS points)

In this module the principles of scientific writing will be taught. It therefore serves as a practical guide for the content and form of a scientific paper, lecture or of a research project. Aspects of scientific reasoning and writing, literature search, formulation and hypothesis testing are covered. Using practical tasks, participants are taught to develop their own research questions.

Block 1 Basics of the scientific method I

1 day (2 ECTS points)

• Introduction to the searching of scientific literature
• Critical reading of scientific literature
• How to cite properly

Block 2 Basics of scientific method II

3 days (3 ECTS points)

• Argumentation and building of hypotheses
• Structure of a scientific paper
• Development of a research proposal
• Presentation of research results

Assessment

The assessment of the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Dance Science: Health & Performance contains the following elements:

• Presence at block appointments (minimal 90% in total)
• Literature review
• Oral presentation of the literature review
• Research proposal

Based on above elements the programme management decides on the passing of the assessment and the issuing of the Certificate.

Organising Institution

Institute of Sport Science

Members of the programme management MAS/CAS Dance Science

• Dr. Derrick D. Brown, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, Australia
• Dr. med Anja Hauschild, Medical School Hamburg, Deutschland
• Prof. Dr. Ernst-Joachim Hossner, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Vorsitz)
• Prof. Dr. med. Paul Krack, Inselspital, Universität Bern
• Prof. Dr. Fred Mast, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Bern
• Dr. Andrea Schärli, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Studienleitung)
• Prof. Dr. Mirko Schmidt, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern

Lecturers

• Dr. Imogen Aujla
• Derrick Brown
• Dr. med. Elisabeth Exner-Grave
• Dr. med. Karl Hartmann
• Prof. Dr. Hans-Heinrich Hoppeler
• Julia Monning
• Dr. Grit Reimann
• Dr. Andrea Schärli
• Dr. Rolf van de Langenberg
• Edwin Visser

Candidates must have a degree from a University, ‚Fachhochschule‘, vocational education or equivalent as well as having proof of appropriate experience in the field of dance or another movement related field. This requirement may be waived if the candidate displays exceptional experience in the dance field.

The study fee for the CAS Dance Science: Health & Performance is 4500CHF.

The fee has to be paid before the start of the course with the bill delivered, i.e., until by the latest by the middle of July 2025. In exceptions, payment with maximal 3 instalments is possible.

Application form (PDF, 570KB) for the CAS Dance Science: Health & Performance until 31st of May 2025.