Journal of Physical Education and Sport ® (JPES), 18(3), Art 228, pp.

1544 - 1548, 2018

online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES

Original Article

Ballroom and circular dancing may improve the functional fitness of older senior
women: a cross sectional study
IASMIN BOZZI DA ROCHA1; RUTH CALDEIRA DE MELO1; SUÉLEN GOMES DOS SANTOS
MARQUES1; LILIANE FARIA MACON1; MÔNICA DIAS FRANCISCO1; MARIA CRISTINA MUTARELLI
PONTES5; ROBERTA LUKSEVICIUS RICA2; ALEXANDRE LOPES EVANGELISTA3; DANILO SALES
BOCALINI4; FRANCISCO LUCIANO PONTES JÚNIOR1
1
Post Graduate Program in Gerontology, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH), University of São
Paulo (USP), São Paulo, BRAZIL
2
Post Graduate Program in Physical Education, São Judas Tadeu University, São Paulo, BRAZIL
3
Physical Education Division, Department of Education, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, BRAZIL
4
Experimental Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory of the Physical Education and Sports Center, Federal
University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, BRAZIL
5
Estácio de Sá University, São Paulo, BRASIL

Published online: September 30, 2018

(Accepted for publication July 28, 2018)
DOI:10.7752/jpes.2018.03228

Abstract:
Introduction: Aging is inevitable and irreversible, but with the advancement of technology, life
expectancy is increasing every year, bringing with it proposals for various interventions to improve the quality of
life. One such intervention is physical exercise programs. Objective: Evaluated the functional fitness of senior
female practitioners of ballroom and circular dancing. Methods: Senior women were recruited and distributed
into three groups: ballroom dancing (BD, n=15); circular dancing (CD, n=16); control (C, n=10). Those in the
dancing groups performed 60-minute dancing sessions three times a week over a 24-week period. Participants
underwent anthropometric parameters and functional fitness tests (chair stand, arm curl, sit and reach, back
scratch, agility, 6-minute walk) were performed. Results: No differences (p> 0.05) were found on
anthropometric and body composition parameters between groups. However, the values of chair stand and 6-
minute walk tests by BD (13 ± 2 repetitions, 432 ± 103 meters) and CD (13 ± 4 repetitions, 384 ± 88 meters)
respectively was higher (p< 0.01) than C (10 ± 3 repetitions, 300 ± 77 meters). No differences between groups
(p> 0.05) were found on arm curl (C: 17 ± 5, BD: 19 ± 3, CD: 19 ± 6; repetitions), sit and reach (C: -12 ± 12,
BD: -11 ± 12, CD: -6 ± 9; cm), back scratch (C: -14 ± 17, BD: -3 ± 12, CD: -8 ± 17; cm) and agility (C: 8 ± 4,
BD: 9 ± 1, CD: 7 ± 3; seconds) tests. CONCLUSION: Both ballroom and circular dancing can be useful to
improve the muscular strength of inferior members and endurance capacity of senior women.
Key words: Dance, Functinonal capacity, Elderly, Physical activity

Introduction
Aging is a natural and progressive process in which there is a decline in biological, social and
psychological aspects. As for biological aspects, what stands out is a decline in functional capacity and of the
physiological systems, as this process can be accelerated by factors that cause physical inactivity or by the
presence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, osteoarthritis and
neurodegenerative diseases, which may affect the autonomy and independence of older seniors (Coubard et al.,
2011; Kattenstroth et al., 2010). Moreover, older individuals tend to change their daily routines and habits with
less active activities and occupations, partly because of the gradual decline of their physical fitness over the
course of aging (Montero-Fernandez et al., 2013). Physical inactivity has direct effects on the reduction of
physical and cognitive capacities, resulting in processes of apathy, social isolation, self-devaluation, insecurity,
loss of motivation and solitude (Lee and Don, 2018). The practice of regular physical activity in older seniors,
when well targeted, promotes several benefits, such as maintenance of independence and autonomy, reduction in
the rate of decline of physiological functions and lower prevalence of chronic diseases (Fan et al., 2013; Krampe
et al., 2010; Keogh et al., 2009). Studies developed by our group (Rica et al., 2013; Mora and Valencia., 2018)
have shown that regular physical activity improves the functional capacity of older seniors and is one of the main
ways to reduce the declines associated with aging.
According to other studies (Fan et al., 2013; Kranpe et al., 2010; Marin et al., 2009), dance can also be a
strategy of physical activity strongly indicated for older seniors because it stimulates adherence, social
interaction, sensory stimulation and causes improvement in the health of older seniors. However, despite the
positive report of authors, little is known about the impact of different dance modalities on the functional
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Corresponding Author: FRANCISCO LUCIANO PONTES JÚNIOR, E-mail: lucianopontes@usp.br
IASMIN BOZZI DA ROCHA; RUTH CALDEIRA DE MELO; SUÉLEN GOMES DOS SANTOS MARQUES;
LILIANE FARIA MACON; MÔNICA DIAS FRANCISCO; MARIA CRISTINA MUTARELLI PONTES;
ROBERTA LUKSEVICIUS RICA; ALEXANDRE LOPES EVANGELISTA; DANILO SALES BOCALINI;
FRANCISCO LUCIANO PONTES JÚNIOR
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capacity of seniors. Based on the evidence presented, the main objective of the study was to evaluate the
functional capacity of older senior women who were part of a regular program of ballroom and circular dancing.

Material and methods

Sample
This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. The sample consisted of older senior women who were 60
years of age and older and had participated for at least 12 months, 3 times a week, during 60 minutes of a
ballroom dance (BD, N = 15) and circular dance (CD, N = 16) program that was held at the Juventus Athletic
Club, São Paulo, Brazil. In addition, a group of older senior women (C, N = 10) were added to the study who did
not dance or perform any type of physical activity. The present study complies with the determinations of the
Declaration of Helsinki and Resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council and only those who gave their
written consent were admitted to the study. The project was previously approved by the research ethics
committee of the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. Considered as
exclusion criterion for the two groups studied were senior women who presented dementia, psychiatric disorders,
neurological disorders, mental deficiency, cerebrovascular accident with impairment, blindness, deafness and
recent hospitalization. As inclusion criterion, only those women who were in good health and who had an
attendance of at least 85% in the dance sessions were allowed to participate.
Body composition
Height (m) and body mass (kg) were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI = weight/height2).
Body fat percentage was derived with skin folds as previously mentioned from our group (BOCALINI et al.,
2010a)
Functional fitness
This evaluation was composed by six tests previously reported in the literature to assess physical
performance parameters in older seniors and frequently utilized in our group (Bocalini et al., 2010b; Bocalini et
al., 2012; Rica et al., 2013; Suzuki et al., 2018). The arm curl test was used to evaluate upper limb fitness, with
the analyzed score as the total number of hand weight curls through the full range of motion. The chair stand test
was used to evaluate lower limb strength, scored by the number of stands executed correctly within 30 seconds.
Agility was evaluated by the 8-foot up-and-go test, and the score was considered as the shortest time to rise from
a seated position, walk eight feet, turn back and return to the seated position. The sit and reach test was used to
evaluate the lower body flexibility scored by the shortest distance achieved between the extended fingers and the
toe when seated with extended leg and the heel resting on the floor. The back scratch test assessed upper body
flexibility and the score was considered the shortest distance achieved between the extended middle fingers
when reaching behind the head with one hand and behind the back with the other hand. Additionally, functional
exercise capacity was measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), in accordance with the guidelines of the
American Thoracic Society (2002).

Statistical analyses
All statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS for Windows software (version 12.0; SPSS,
Chicago, IL, USA). All data are expressed as means and standard errors. The D’Agostino–Pearson test was used
to determine normality. Analysis of comparisons between groups along the time periods was carried out using
one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. Statistical significance was established at α ≤ 0.05.

Results
As shown in Table 1, there were no differences found on anthropometric and body composition
parameters among groups.

Table 1. Anthropometric parameters of control, circular and social dancing groups

Parameters Control Ballroom dancing Circular dancing
Age (years) 65 ± 6 67 ± 5 69 ± 8
Body mass (kg) 73 ± 22 67 ± 12 65 ± 9
Height (m) 1.66 ± 9 1.58 ± 6 1.52 ± 7
BMI (kg/m2) 27 ± 5 27 ± 4 29 ± 10
Body fat (%) 47 ± 7 43 ± 5 44 ± 5
Fat mass (kg) 34 ± 13 29 ± 8 29 ± 7
Lean mass (kg) 39 ± 12 38 ± 6 37 ± 5
WC (cm) 109 ± 7 98 ± 11 95 ± 10
HC (cm) 116 ± 13 105 ± 7 106 ± 9
WHR 0.94 ± 0.09 0.93 ± 0.06 0.90 ± 0.06

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IASMIN BOZZI DA ROCHA; RUTH CALDEIRA DE MELO; SUÉLEN GOMES DOS SANTOS MARQUES;
LILIANE FARIA MACON; MÔNICA DIAS FRANCISCO; MARIA CRISTINA MUTARELLI PONTES;
ROBERTA LUKSEVICIUS RICA; ALEXANDRE LOPES EVANGELISTA; DANILO SALES BOCALINI;
FRANCISCO LUCIANO PONTES JÚNIOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. BMI: body mass index. WC: waist circumference.
HC: hip circumference. WHR: waist-hip ratio.
Table 2 shows the functional parameters of functional fitness. Similar results were found on chair stand
and 6-minute walk tests by ballroom and circular dancing; however, the values of the dance groups were higher
(p< 0.01) than control. No differences between groups (p> 0.05) were found on arm curl, sit and reach, back
scratch and agility tests.

Table 2. Functional fitness parameters of control, ballroom and circular dancing groups

Parameters Control Social dancing Circular dancing

Chair stand (rep) 10 ± 3 13 ± 2* 13 ± 4*
Arm curl (rep) 17 ± 5 19 ± 3 19 ± 6
Sit and reach (cm) -12 ± 12 -11 ± 12 -6 ± 9
Back scratch (cm) -14 ± 17 -3 ± 12 -8 ± 17
Agility (sec) 8±4 9±1 7±3
6MWT (m) 300 ± 77 432 ± 103* 384 ± 88*
Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. 6MWT: 6-minute walk test.
*p< 0.01 compared to control group.

Discussion
According to the American Dance Therapy Association, dance makes use of psychotherapeutic
movement to promote emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual (Hwang & Braun,
2015). According to Keogh et al., 2009, dance can take on different forms, be applied in individuals of all ages
and does not require expensive equipment. The author further states that dance is a physical activity with lower
potential of risk for older practitioners when compared to other forms of physical activity, as it is important in
promoting health and successful aging. For Connor, (2000); Lima & Vieira, (2007); Galloza et al, (2017), dance
allows older seniors to maintain a connection with daily life, as it encourages fun by promoting social interaction
and a sense of community. Accordingly, dance seems to be a form of physical activity more likely to be adopted
as part of physical exercise programs of many older seniors.
The main objective of our study was to compare the functional capacity of older senior women who
were already practicing circular and ballroom dancing during a period of 12 months. The results obtained
demonstrated improvements in lower limb resistance strength (BD = 13 ± 2, CD = 13 ± 4) in both dance groups
when compared to control (C = 10 ± 3). Our results are in agreement with the results obtained by cross-sectional
studies conducted by Uusi-Rase et al., (1999) and Verguese (2006), as the latter found a 13% increase in lower
limb resistance strength in the sit and stand from chair test and 10% increase in the manual grip test.
The results obtained in longitudinal studies also found similar results. McKinley et al., 2008, found
improvement in resistance strength (11%) determined by the sit and stand test in older senior subjects submitted
to a 10-week Argentine tango training program, performed twice a week for 120 minutes. Additionally, Eyigor et
al., 2009 analyzed an 8-week program, performed 3 times a week for 60 minutes with folkloric dance from
Turkey and found a 19% improvement in resistance strength in the older seniors. More recently, Borges et al.
(2012) found increased strength of the lower limbs in institutionalized older individuals who participated in a
dance training program that was performed 3 times a week, lasting 50 minutes for a period of 8 months.
Our results are important because aging is associated with a change in body composition that causes
increased body fat and reduced muscle strength. After the fifth decade of life, the rate of progression of reduction
is around 8 to 15% per decade (Deschenes, 2004; Rossi et al, 2017). In addition, the loss of strength significantly
affects the quality of life of older seniors, causing difficulties in activities of daily living, leading to loss of
autonomy and independence. Kauffman (2001) further states that chronic diseases, hospitalizations and physical
inactivity can accelerate the decline of muscle strength. In this way, Judge (2003), Keogh, 2009, Krampe, 2010,
Gillespie, 2012, affirm that dance can be a beneficial form of physical activity for older seniors since it reduces
the risk of falls by means of muscular strengthening and improvement of balance.
Another important response obtained with the study was the improvement of the cardiorespiratory
function evaluated by the 6-minute walk test, which reflects efforts commonly performed by older seniors in the
activities of daily living. The results of the dance and ballroom dance groups were significantly higher (BD =
432 ± 103 m, CD = 384 ± 88 m) when compared to control (C = 300 ± 77 m). Our results were important
because few studies were able to find an improvement in cardiopulmonary capacity of elderly individuals
undergoing a dance program. In a recent systematic review by Hwang and Braun (2015), the authors
demonstrated that only one study (Hui et al., 2009) showed a positive dance effect on aerobic capacity
determined by the 6-minute walk test. Similarly, Eyigor et al (2009) also found a 17% increase in aerobic

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IASMIN BOZZI DA ROCHA; RUTH CALDEIRA DE MELO; SUÉLEN GOMES DOS SANTOS MARQUES;
LILIANE FARIA MACON; MÔNICA DIAS FRANCISCO; MARIA CRISTINA MUTARELLI PONTES;
ROBERTA LUKSEVICIUS RICA; ALEXANDRE LOPES EVANGELISTA; DANILO SALES BOCALINI;
FRANCISCO LUCIANO PONTES JÚNIOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
capacity. We believe that because the training was performed over a 12-month period, it may have contributed to
the improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness.
These findings are important because reductions in cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with an
increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease and stroke (Mampuya, 2012; Myers,
2002). In addition, Cabrera et al. (2007) found that the main cause of death in older Brazilian individuals is
cardiovascular diseases. Hongan, (2005) in a review article states that cardiorespiratory fitness appears to be
positively related to cognitive performance, namely, age-related reductions in cardiorespiratory function seem to
result in tissue hypoxia and that aerobic activity, as in the case of dance, would have a protective effect.
Increased cerebral blood flow would provide greater supply of oxygen and energetic substrates to the brain
(Hongan, 2005; Condello et al., 2017).
Conversely, there were no statistically significant differences in flexibility determined by the sitting and
reaching and back scratch tests, nor in the "up and go" test that evaluates the integration of neuromuscular
parameters (speed, agility and dynamic balance). As for flexibility, the result obtained is somewhat expected
because both ballroom and circular dancing do not have the improvement of these parameters as their primary
objective and are in accordance with the results obtained by Dewhurst et al., 2014 in Scottish country dance
participants.

Conclusion
The findings of this study support the use of ballroom dancing and circular dance as an alternative of
physical activity for older seniors, bringing benefits in cardiorespiratory capacity and lower limb muscle
strength. In addition to the physical benefits, dance also brings to its practitioners gains in the form of social
interaction.

AcknowledgmenT
This study was sponsored by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq.

Conflict Of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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IASMIN BOZZI DA ROCHA; RUTH CALDEIRA DE MELO; SUÉLEN GOMES DOS SANTOS MARQUES;
LILIANE FARIA MACON; MÔNICA DIAS FRANCISCO; MARIA CRISTINA MUTARELLI PONTES;
ROBERTA LUKSEVICIUS RICA; ALEXANDRE LOPES EVANGELISTA; DANILO SALES BOCALINI;
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