magazinelogo

Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science

ISSN Online: 2576-0548 Downloads: 829062 Total View: 5418767
Frequency: monthly ISSN Print: 2576-0556 CODEN: JHASAY
Email: jhass@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.06.016

When Injury Reveals Pedagogical Gaps: Rethinking Aesthetic Awareness and Teaching Strategies in Chinese Dance Education

Junjun Liu, Leng Poh Gee*

Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjung Malim 35900, Perak State, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author: Leng Poh Gee

Published: July 4,2025

Abstract

This study explores the phenomenon of spinal cord injuries caused by back bends and other movements in Chinese children’s dance training through a literature review, and uses this as a starting point to reveal deeper issues of teaching strategies and aesthetic concepts in dance education. The study found that Chinese dance emphasizes extreme flexibility, a traditional aesthetic orientation that has been biased and further amplified in market-driven after-school training institutions, resulting in child dancers being exposed to an increasing risk of physical injury. Inadequate training methods, under-qualified teachers, and a lack of safety standards are important factors that increase the risk. However, such injuries are not just a matter of technique, but also reflect an over-reliance on technique and a neglect of bodily perception and aesthetic experience in the logic of teaching. This study appeals for a reflection and reorganization of current dance teaching strategies. This includes the development of progressive training methods that are consistent with children’s physical and mental development. Shifting from technique-oriented teaching to experience and aesthetics-oriented teaching concepts, and introducing dance science knowledge into teacher training. Only in this way can dance education return to its aesthetic nature and promote the long-term healthy development of the field while safeguarding children’s health.

References

Alshorman, J., Altahla, R., & Xu, T. (2024). Recommendations on the management and prevention of spinal cord injury in children following backbend dance. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.36922/itps.3460

Carroll, T., Smith, C. D., Liu, X., Bonaventura, B., Mann, N., Liu, J., & Ebraheim, N. A. (2015). Spinal cord injuries without radiologic abnormality in children: A systematic review. Spinal Cord, 53(12), 842-848.

https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2015.110

Grossman, G. (2015). Dance science. Dance Horizons. https://www.dancehorizons.com

Guo, J. (2022). Research on cultivating students’ aesthetic ability in dance teaching. Frontiers in Educational Research, 5(13). https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2022.051317

Guo, S., Gong, H., Xu, P., Xie, Y., Yang, D., Liu, Z., Yang, Y., Chen, L., Xie, Y., & Yang, M. (2023). Clinical characteristics and proposed mechanism of pediatric spinal cord injury resulting from backbend practice. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11, 1263280.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1263280

Krasnow, D., & Chatfield, S. J. (1996). Dance science and the dance technique class. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Ma, Y. (2024). The similarities and differences between Chinese classical dance and Western ballet. Frontiers in Art Research, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2024.060314

Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. (2023). Notice of the Ministry of Education on the comprehensive implementation of the aesthetic education immersion initiative in schools. Beijing, China.

Ngo, J. K., Lu, J., Cloak, R., Wong, D. P., Devonport, T., & Wyon, M. A. (2024). Strength and conditioning in dance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Sport Science, 24(6), 637-652.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12111

Pang, D., & Wilberger, J. E. (1982). Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities in children. Journal of Neuro-surgery, 57(1), 114-129. https://doi.org/10.3171/jns.1982.57.1.0114

Ren, J., Zeng, G., Ma, Y., Chen, N., Chen, Z., Ling, F., & Zhang, H. (2017). Pediatric thoracic SCIWORA after back bend during dance practice: A retrospective case series and analysis of trauma mechanisms. Child’s Nervous System, 33(7), 1191-1198.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3407-0

The State Council of The People’s Republic of China. (2014, August 23). Premier encourages population policy reform.
https://english.www.gov.cn/premier/news/2014/08/23/content_281474983008715.htm

Tian, Y., Liu, G. E., Zhao, W. J., & Li, L. (2023). Spinal cord injury in children caused by back-bend in dance. Chinese Journal of Traumatology, 26(1), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2022.08.001

Tone, S. (2024, April 26). The backbend: Why a basic dance move is paralyzing children in China. Sixth Tone. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1015044

Tong, A. N., Zhang, J. W., Zhou, H. J., Tang, H. H., Bai, J. Z., Wang, F. Y., Lv, Z., Chen, S. Z., Liu, S. J., Liu, J. S., & Hong, Y. (2020). Ischemic damage may play an important role in spinal cord injury during dancing. Spinal Cord, 58(12), 1310-1316. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-020-0503-x

Xu, M. (2020). Private non-qualification dance education in China. Shenyang, China: Shenyang Conservatory of Music Press.

Yang, H. (2024). The hobby group for popular dance: An anthropological research on dance studios. Beijing, China: Chinese National Academy of Arts Press.

Yin, A. X., Sugimoto, D., Martin, D. J., & Stracciolini, A. (2016). Pediatric dance injuries: A cross-sectional epidemiological study. PM&R, 8(4), 348-355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.08.012

Zeng, L., Wang, Y. L., Shen, X. T., Zhang, Z. C., Huang, G. X., Alshorman, J., Serebour, T. B., Tator, C. H., Sun, T. S., Zhang, Y. Z., & Guo, X. D. (2023). Guidelines for management of pediatric acute hyperextension spinal cord injury. Chinese Journal of Traumatology, 26(1), 2-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2022.07.005


How to cite this paper

When Injury Reveals Pedagogical Gaps: Rethinking Aesthetic Awareness and Teaching Strategies in Chinese Dance Education

How to cite this paper: Junjun Liu, Leng Poh Gee. (2025) When Injury Reveals Pedagogical Gaps: Rethinking Aesthetic Awareness and Teaching Strategies in Chinese Dance Education. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science9(6), 1142-1148.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.06.016