Aging
Conditions
Keywords
physical activity, partnered dances, cognitive functions, fall prevention
Brief summary
Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 6-month ballroom dance (3 times/wk) on physical fitness and reaction time in twenty- four experienced older adults. Body composition, handgrip test, standing long jump test, step test, one-legged stance balance test, and reaction time (RT) test were assessed before and after 6 months (T6) of dance practice. RT was re-evaluated after 4 months (T10).
Interventions
OTHERpartnered dance
Dance classes consisted of different choreographies, which include rhythmic and simple movements typically of ballroom/standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz).
Sponsors
University Magna Graecia
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* dance practice (dance average years = 11 years)
Exclusion criteria
* functional inabilities * cardiovascular diseases * prosthesis
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Reaction time at 6 Months | baseline, 6 months and 10 months | reaction time was assessed with the subject seating with the arm resting on a table in a comfortable position and then catches the apparatus as quickly as possible after it begins to fall. The fall distance was measured and it was converted into a reaction time (in milliseconds) using the formula for a body falling under the influence of gravity (d 5 1⁄2gt2), where d is distance, g is acceleration due to gravity, and t is time. |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed