Michael Jackson debuted his gravity-defying lean in the "Smooth Criminal" music video. Feet planted on the floor, spine ramrod straight, he leaned forward 45 degrees, in a move that should have ruptured his Achilles tendons, caused a full faceplant, or both. According to NPR, most ordinary folks can lean 20 degrees, while trained dancers can achieve 25 to 30 degrees. How did Jackson, and his dancers, accomplish this?
Well, mostly they cheated. They wore specially-designed shoes with slots on the soles, which would lock with a hitch that was attached to the floor (via NPR). This support prevented them from falling forward and took pressure off the dancers' tendons and calves. However, researchers have determined (yes, Jackson's moves have sparked serious study in scientific journals) that there still existed a good deal of pressure on the Achilles, so performing this stunt took admirable core and lower body strength. Therefore, the answer lies not only in invention but also in strength training and conditioning.
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