Welcome back Pole Dancer to Science of Slink! Today we are discussing my opinion on whether Pole Dance should be in the Olympics. We are going to explore: What problem is it addressing, Would it be good for individual movers or businesses? (Spoiler: the research suggests probably not,) Who would be harmed, and an overarching question: Why do we treat sports as more than or better than other types of movement? We are wrapping up by seeking a resolution with the question: What can we focus on instead?

To start, let’s look at what problem Pole in the Olympics addressing. The desired perception is wanting more status or "legitimacy" for the activity. The perception is that the more legit feeling the exercise is, the easier it is to break into the activity as not only a mover but also as a studio owner. Furthermore, there has historically been an association (even though it may be a loose one) between sports-focused campaigns and distancing pole from its stripping roots.

Secondly, Would it be good for individual movers or businesses? Unfortunately, the research suggests probably not. "little evidence of an increased uptake of sporting activity following an Olympic Games event." (Mahtani KR, Protheroe J, Slight SP) This means that though people may find it interesting, there isn’t a direct benefit to business owners. "Since the turn of the century, a growing number of empirical studies has increased the realization that elite sport does not automatically initiate positive societal impacts. Moreover, the various ‘dark sides’ of elite sport seem to be underestimated." Negative impact may include sexism, exploitation, discrimination, injuries, distorted body image, etc. (De Rycke, J., & De Bosscher, V. 11(3))

Lastly, who would be harmed? Strippers would be further marginalized. The perception of strippers is based on societal ideals that don’t often account for not only strippers being human but also the increased safety in areas with sex work. This leads us to a bigger question: Why do we treat sports as more than or better than other types of movement?

So What we can focus on instead: Overall, I think we have more important priorities if our goal is to make pole dance accessible & equitable:

• Helping address discrimination by payment processing services (the ACLU is currently pressuring Mastercard about this)

• Decriminalization of SW more broadly

• Pushing back on age verification bills that require collecting IDs or biometrics (both a security and privacy risk to users & and huge burden on businesses)

Join pole instructor & personal trainer Rosy Boa as she chats with experts about the evidence-based practices you can introduce to your pole journey to improve your pole journey and feel better. The Evidence-Based Pole Podcast aims to help pole dancers feel better on and off the pole by talking with experts and diving into relevant scientific research to find evidence-based insights we can apply to our pole journeys. It’s a production of Slink Through Strength, the inclusive, evidence-based online pole studio, which can be found online at slinkthroughstrength.com.

Edited by: Simone Rossette

Simone.rossette77@gmail.com

Sources:

This BBC article has some really clear examples of whorephobia: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/10/18/pole-dancing-in-the-olympics-international-sports-federation-recognition-helps-pave-the-way/?noredirect=on

https://www.bbc.com/sport/41652997

https://www.dailydot.com/irl/notastripper-pole-dancing-instagram/

Yes a Stripper podcast: https://yesastripperpodcast.com/

Mahtani KR, Protheroe J, Slight SP, et al. Can the London 2012 Olympics ‘inspire a generation’ to do more physical or sporting activities? An overview of systematic reviews. BMJ

Open 2013;3:e002058. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002058

De Rycke, J., & De Bosscher, V. (2019). Mapping the potential societal impacts triggered by elite sport: a conceptual framework. International journal of sport policy and politics, 11(3), 485-502.

Hello Pole Dancer and welcome to a new episode of Science of Slink, the podcast where we talk about the research on movement, explore social constructs, and explore how movement helps mental health. Join me on this podcast journey by subscribing to the podcast and signing up for my monthly newsletter. If you'd like to become a part of the community, hit the link below to join the waitlist for the Science of Slink Membership.

Sign up for the Science of Slink membership waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/slinkthroughstrength.com/science-of-slink-waitlist

Slink Through Strength Email Sign Up: ⁠http://eepurl.com/iimjnX

⁠Today we are going to explore my biography and what my classes are like, as well as how I came to teach the way I do. We will explore my professional background, how I organize my classes throughout the class and time windows, my movement background, and recommended research to read! My professional and movement background varies widely and has been shaped by what inspires me over the years. My professional background starts with a Research PHD, and Lots of continuing education (Ex: Emily Scherb's workshops in Seattle, reading, keeping up with research.) Additionally, more in the pole world, I became an ACTION-certified personal trainer and completed a 6-month pole teaching apprenticeship & certification. As a professional and movement background bonus, I've been pole dancing for 12 years. My training gives me a great perspective on pole over the years through trends, the way bodies change, and the way your practice changes over time from mindsets to movements. My movement background and where I get my inspiration from are robust as I try to keep my knowledge rounded out and up to date. Some of my background is pilates/yoga inspired though I'm NOT trained, Weight lifting/strength & conditioning, including circuit training, Calaesthetics, Flexibility/contortion training (I am NOT a contortion coach,) Some therapeutic techniques (e.g. nerve glides,) and last but not least, I develop exercises (e.g. squat clap drill for power)This knowledge greatly shapes how I teach and organize my classes. Here are some bullet points to break down what my main focuses are as I develop my training guides. All of these points are greatly expanded on in the episode :)

In a class:

- Warm-up

-Skill work

-Cardio/cooldown

In a week:

-Start with skills

-Then freestyle (place to practice skills)

-End with conditioning

In a month:

-Periodization

- deload week-Increasing challenge over the month (why membership doors are usually closed)

-Conditioning is generally a two-part split circuit (equipment optional) designed for whole body focus over the month; compliments our skill workIn a year

-Rotating focus every month (capability, ability/skill, artistry/expression)Every three months there's a body part focus

Last but not least, here are some readings I recommend:

-Strength & conditioning for pole by Neola Wilby

-Upside Down Injuries: Prehab and Rehab (Bendy Kate)

-Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Sherb Join pole instructor & personal trainer Rosy Boa as she chats with experts about the evidence-based practices you can introduce to your pole journey to improve your pole journey and feel better.

The Evidence-Based Pole Podcast aims to help pole dancers feel better on and off the pole by talking with experts and diving into relevant scientific research to find evidence-based insights we can apply to our pole journeys. It’s a production of Slink Through Strength, the inclusive, evidence-based online pole studio, which can be found online at slinkthroughstrength.com.

Edited by: Simone Rossette

Simone.rossette77@gmail.com

Email for Podcast, Video, and Audio editing, show notes, as well as Digital Marketing.

Hey Pole Dancer, welcome back to Science of Slink, a podcast dedicated to research of exercise, healing, and body image. Today we are joined by Dr.Melanie Stucky, Researcher - Performance and Social at École Nationale de Cirque.

Dr. Stucky recently published the paper Four Domains for Development for All (4D4D4All): A Holistic, Physical Literacy Framework. (source and link below) this paper talks about the division and interconnectedness of 4 domains: creative, psychological, social, and physical development. These 4 domains are important components of physical literacy because they help us learn movement and have the highest potential to build our confidence when used correctly. This framework is meant to help define the most important aspects of creating an empowering culture in a studio and in our practice.

We also looked into the Contexts which is the outer influence of the domains. These contexts are physical, social, and movement. Physical context is the environment you are in, this can be where you live and the set of tools you need to achieve your movement. Social context touches on culture, social norms, injustices, and in general, things affecting us more emotionally and mentally.

You can find Melanie on Instagram @melirene13 and @thevolairlife

Slink Through Strength Email Sign Up: ⁠http://eepurl.com/iimjnX⁠

Join pole instructor & personal trainer Rosy Boa as she chats with experts about the evidence-based practices you can introduce to your pole journey to improve your pole journey and feel better. The Evidence-Based Pole Podcast aims to help pole dancers feel better on and off the pole by talking with experts and diving into relevant scientific research to find evidence-based insights we can apply to our pole journeys. It’s a production of Slink Through Strength, the inclusive, evidence-based online pole studio, found online at slinkthroughstrength.com.

Edited by: Simone Rossette

Simone.rossette77@gmail.com

Sources:

The paper we mostly talk about: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2024.2342323

Agans, J. P., Stuckey, M. I., Cairney, J., & Kriellaars, D. (2024). Four domains for development for all (4D4D4All): A holistic, physical literacy framework. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2342323

Another paper I mentioned at the end:

Preparation For Flight: The Physical Profile of Pre-Professional and Professional Circus Artists in the United States https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11065775/