Pointe Shoes: The Athletic Shoes of Ballet | Dr. Jessica Aquino

From studio to science lab, this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast dives into how new vs. dead pointe shoes change lower-extremity biomechanics and muscle activity in professional ballet dancers. Dr. Caroline Simpkins, a former ballerina turned researcher, is joined by Dr. Jessica Aquino, DPT, ATC, a physical therapist and athletic trainer specializing in dance medicine, sports medicine, and performing arts medicine.

We break down what “dead” pointe shoes really are, how Dr. Aquino measured differences using 3D motion capture, force plates, and EMG, and what those findings mean for stability, torque at the ankle, tibialis anterior activation, injury risk, and performance. You’ll hear practical guidance for dancers, teachers, and directors on when to retire a pair, why not to perform in a brand-new shoe, and how to think about break-in versus break-down.

We also look ahead to pressure sensors, new materials (polymer shanks, 3D-printed options), and how sports-science methods can inform pointe shoe design, without losing the classical aesthetic.

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Publication Discussed:

Aquino, J., Amasay, T., Shapiro, S., Kuo, Y. T., & Ambegaonkar, J. P. (2021). Lower extremity biomechanics and muscle activity differ between ‘new’and ‘dead’pointe shoes in professional ballet dancers. Sports biomechanics, 20(4), 469-480.

Follow Dr. Jessica Aquino:

Instagram: @dr.beyondbarre

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Logo Photo: Richard Calmes