🩰 UK pre-professional dance students (18+) wanted for a study on attentional focus, coping skills & performance anxiety in dance training

Complete a short survey and get £5 for taking part.

👉 Take part here: standrews.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

#DanceScience #Research

These are early findings and part of a larger PhD project that I hope to publish eventually. But already, there are clear implications for how we train dancers to manage attention and pressure. More soon - and happy to chat if you’re interested! 💬 (5/5)

What’s surprising: cognitive flexibility increased the use of both internal and external focus in class - which was actually associated with higher performance anxiety too. Cognitively flexible dancers engage deeply, but it can backfire if they over-monitor. (4/5)

It turns out that where dancers direct their attention (internal vs external, in class vs on stage) plays a big role in performance anxiety levels. Internal focus on stage (thinking about your body) was the strongest predictor of performance anxiety. (3/5)

One big takeaway: cognitive flexibility - the ability to shift your thinking or focus - is linked to lower performance anxiety. Flexible thinkers cope better under pressure. But there’s more… (2/5)

I'm in the process of analysing some of the data from my PhD study exploring performance anxiety in dancers. 1,012 dancers took part and early results are in. I think they’ll interest dance educators, coaches, and choreographers 🩰🧠 (1/5)

Excited to share that I’ll be presenting my PhD research at the 35th IADMS conference in Las Vegas this September! An incredible opportunity to contribute to a global academic forum in dance medicine & science. #IADMS2025 🇺🇸💃🏻🧠📚

A race day pic from yesterday! #Inverness

First volunteer credit at junior parkrun this morning! A cold one, but what a fab way to start a Sunday 👏🏻

Loud noise has always been quite overwhelming for me, so I’m giving Loop earplugs a try. 🌀 They’ll help take the edge off without blocking out the world entirely - great for sensitive hearing and navigating busy spaces more comfortably. Away to try them out during the Aldi shop!👂🏻✨

Spent my Sunday morning on the sofa discovering the PressReader app - such a game-changer! 🛋️📰 Got free access through my local library and now I can browse newspapers from all over the world. Perfect for a chilled, coffee-fuelled start to the day. ☕🌍

Using this opportunity to showcase some film photos I took on a recent holiday to Las Vegas 🎞️

#photography #filmphotography #lasvegas

amelianewton.co.uk/photography/...