UNLV’s first Circus Research Roundtable brought together a diverse group of individuals including acrobats, trapeze artists, physicians, faculty, students, and strength and conditioning coaches to discuss ways to reduce injuries and boost performance. The wide-ranging discussion touched on areas such as the biomechanics and physiology of movements, injury mechanisms and their prevention and rehabilitation, mental skills, sport economics, and the importance of concussion and brain health. The forum was put on by the university’s Sports Research and Innovation Initiative in collaboration with Magnum Opus, a Southern Nevada group researching and working with circus artists and performers. Participants reached a consensus that there is an urgent need for research to encompass all aspects of circus arts and for circus artists to have access to health care services that understand their unique requirements. The sports innovation initiative, which is dedicated to fostering relationships between UNLV and the sports community, is committed to supporting research and innovation efforts that align with this goal.

"Circus Meets Medicine" Conference on March 14

To further promote this much-needed research, the first "Circus Meets Medicine" Conference will be held on March 14 at the Las Vegas Circus Center. Hosted by Magnum Opus, a local medical research company, the event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature paper presentations, live performances by circus acrobats, a Q&A panel, and breakout sessions focusing on specific issues and potential treatments. Featuring professionals from both the entertainment and health care industries, the conference will act as both an educational experience and as a summit to discuss the current state of medical treatment in the circus performing world from different perspectives. Tickets can be found online.