'Dancing with the Stars' enacting early training limits to reduce injuries
By Christopher Rocchio, 08/12/2009
Dancing with the Stars has reportedly implemented a new training rule to help curtail injuries to its celebrity participants.
ADVERTISEMENT
"There's a rule now that we're not allowed to train for more than five hours a day for the first two weeks," two-time mirror ball trophy winner Cheryl Burketold E! News on Tuesday.
"After every two hours, you have to have a 30-minute break. And we have to have one full day off a week."
"I think it should be a four hours," she told E! News. "Your body still needs to get into it."
Injuries plagued Dancing with the Stars eighth season this past spring, as singer Jewel and Access Hollywood co-anchor Nancy O'Dell were both forced to withdraw prior to the premiere after sustaining serious injuries while training for the reality dance competition.
In addition, Sex and the City star Gilles Marini injured his groin and subsequently needed surgery to repair a shoulder injury; Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak fractured his foot and was forced to wear a cast; and Steven "Steve-O" Glover suffered nerve damage in his back.
Training for Dancing with the Stars ninth season -- which premieres September 21 on ABC -- will begin in less than two weeks, according to E! News.