UC Santa Cruz

The purpose of this Study was to provide a statistical review of trends in dance medicine and science research over the last 38 years with regard to how Much is being published, where it is being published, and what Subject matter is attracting the most attention. All data were compiled through computer tabulations of entries in the authors' Dance Medicine & Science Bibliography, Third Edition. When viewed in three-year intervals, the number of publications was seen to increase dramatically between 1977 and 1988, and decrease steadily at each interval through 2003. Over the time span in question, 141 authored books, 36 edited books, and 321 chapters have appeared, along with 405 articles in periodicals (led by Medical Problems of Performing Artists and the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, with 151 and 136 articles, respectively). Eleven research subjects can be identified which have produced at least 100 references; the 3 most prolific Subjects are Psychology/Personality/Perceprion/Memory/Stress, psychological (308); Technique/Teaching/Training (284); and Stress fracture/Overuse injury (241). Publications over the last 38 years in dance medicine and science portray it as a vigorous and diverse field, although there is potential cause for concern in the (at this time unexplained) decrease in number of publications since 1989.