Buzz
When Michael Jackson first showcased the moonwalk on live TV in 1983, he became more than just a dancer. His movements appeared to challenge gravity itself, breaking the limits of human flexibility and endurance.
Recent scientific research backs up these extraordinary feats. Three neurosurgeons from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, published a study in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, revealing just how astounding one of Jackson's signature moves really was.
In the 1988 video for "Smooth Criminal" and during later live shows, Jackson demonstrates a gravity-defying lean, tilting 45 degrees forward without losing balance. Despite needing a bit of support, the neurosurgeons found it to be a remarkable achievement.
Courtesy of 'Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.' Copyright Manjul Tripathi, MCh.Study co-author Manjul Tripathi shared with CNN that humans can't tilt their bodies much beyond 25 or 30 degrees without risking a fall. (He knows this from personal experience.) Typically, bending involves using the hips as a pivot point and engaging the erector spinae muscles to stabilize the trunk. However, when Jackson performed his iconic lean, he shifted the fulcrum to his ankle, putting stress on the calf and Achilles tendon. This part of the body isn't built to support such a forward lean without bending, so the "Smooth Criminal" move was an optical illusion. The trick was enabled by Jackson's custom-designed shoe, which had a special mechanism under the heel to catch onto a stage support. This allowed him to maintain the 45-degree angle without falling.
However, the neurosurgeons emphasize that the shoes were only part of the trick. To execute the full 45-degree lean, Jackson needed substantial core strength and a powerful Achilles tendon. A regular person wearing the shoes wouldn't be able to replicate the move.
What does this mean for spinal biomechanics research? The authors note that many dancers inspired by Jackson are continuing to test the boundaries of what's possible, leading to increased risk of injury. A 2010 study surveying 312 hip-hop dancers found that 232 of them—nearly 75 percent—reported a total of 738 injuries over a six-month span. This high rate of injury suggests that neurosurgeons may encounter more complex and unique spinal problems in the future. The hope is that raising awareness of these risks will help prevent injuries down the line.
