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).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Dance classes consisted of different choreographies, which include rhythmic and simple movements typically of ballroom/standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz).
Dance School "Free Dance"
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
Change From Baseline in Reaction time at 6 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.
Time frame: baseline, 6 months and 10 months
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