Think You're Tired? What About the Rockettes?!

When it comes to rigorous physical demands, few compare to the Radio City Rockettes. During the holiday seaso, performing up to 200 shows over eight weeks, each dancer executes approximately 650 kicks daily, often while navigating rapid costume changes (some as short as 78 seconds) and exacting stage formations.

Behind their iconic precision lies a robust athletic training program designed by Elaine Winslow-Redmond, MS, ATC, a former Rockette herself.

Winslow-Redmond transitioned to being an Athletic Trainer after sustaining a dance injury mid-career. While performing, she began studying athletic training at UNLV and later completed her master’s in applied physiology and nutrition at Columbia University.

Combining her expertise with insights gained from working with athletes at Columbia and the RehabWorks program at the Kennedy Space Center, she launched a wellness program tailored to the Rockettes in 2003.

The program features a dedicated staff of 3 certified Athletic Trainers—along with Monica Lorenzo and Karen Kubicina—who address the unique demands of performers.

Injury prevention is paramount, with pre-season conditioning, tailored prehab protocols, and on-site rehabilitation ensuring dancers remain healthy through their grueling schedules. Common injuries, including patella-femoral tracking issues, sesamoiditis, and ankle sprains, are meticulously addressed with custom strategies.

A highlight of Winslow-Redmond’s work is the emphasis on educating performers about their health.

“Performers often lack access to the resources athletes have. They are incredibly receptive and knowledgeable about their bodies, making the process collaborative and rewarding.”

Beyond the Rockettes, Winslow-Redmond consults for other performers, including the New York City Dance Alliance, the Broadway Theater Dance Workshop and Norwegian Cruise Lines, extending Athletic Training’s influence into the performing arts.

Her efforts underscore the growing recognition of dancers as athletes who deserve comprehensive health and wellness support. She pointed to the profound impact injury prevention has on extending careers in the arts.

“The match between Athletic Trainers and performers is ideal.”

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