Ballet practice improves neuromuscular and biomechanical responses to an unexpected standing-slip in older adults.

Falls and fall-induced injuries are common and consequential in older adults. Ballet emphasizes full-body coordination, leg strength, and postural control. However, it remains unknown whether ballet can indeed reduce falls in older adults. This study examined biomechanical and neuromuscular responses of older recreational ballet dancers to an unexpected standing-slip. Twenty older ballet dancers (17 females, 3 males) and 23 age- and sex-matched nondancers (19 females, 4 males) were exposed to an unexpected slip during treadmill standing. The slip-faller rate was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were kinematic measurements, including dynamic gait stability, slip distance, and recovery stepping performance (step latency, duration, length, and speed). The tertiary outcome was the electromyography latency of leg muscles (bilateral tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris). Fewer dancers fell than nondancers after the standing-slip (45% vs. 83%, P = 0.005, d = 0.970). Dancers displayed better stability at recovery foot liftoff (P = 0.006) and touchdown (P = 0.012), a shorter step latency (P = 0.020), shorter step duration (P = 0.011), faster step speed (P = 0.032), and shorter slip distance (P = 0.015) than nondancers. They also exhibited shorter latencies than nondancers for the standing leg rectus femoris (P = 0.028) and tibialis anterior (P = 0.002), and the stepping leg biceps femoris (P = 0.031), tibialis anterior (P = 0.017), and medial gastrocnemius (P = 0.030). The results suggest that older ballet dancers experience a lower fall risk and are more stable than nondancers following an unexpected standing-slip. The greater stability among dancers could be attributed to more biomechanically effective recovery stepping, possibly associated with the ballet-induced neuromuscular benefit-an earlier leg muscle activation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine how older ballet dancers respond to an unexpected external slip perturbation while standing. The results suggest that older ballet dancers experience a reduced fall risk after the slip than their nondancer counterparts. The lower fall risk can be accounted for by dancers' quicker neuromuscular reactions to the slip that result in a more effective recovery step and thus higher stability against backward falls due to the slip.

Effectiveness of dance movement therapy and dance movement interventions on cancer patients' health-related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This review examined the effectiveness of using dance movement therapy (DMT) and dance movement interventions (DMIs) with cancer and palliative care patients. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Six databases were searched from inception to July 9, 2022, without limits on year or age. Searching was updated on July 10, 2023. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane (RoB 2) and ROBINS-I tools. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool estimates of the effects of DMT and DMI on patients' health-related outcomes. A narrative synthesis of outcomes was performed where meta-analysis was not appropriate. RESULTS: Among a total of 16 studies included in this review, nine were randomized controlled trials and seven were non-randomized trials, with a total of 893 participants. Only six of these studies were fully or partially described as true DMTs (some with less clarity than others), whereas the majority (n = 10) were DMIs with unclear therapeutic alignment. Most studies focused on female patients with breast cancer. Cancer patients undergoing palliative care received little attention. The overall risk of bias from the evaluated studies was high. Meta-analysis of two trials revealed that DMTs had no effect on QOL in cancer patients (SMD - 0.09, 95% CI - 0.21-0.40, P = 0.54), while narrative analysis and non-randomized trials showed no overall effect of DMTs on anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, or sleep disturbance but significant positive effects on perceived stress, pain severity, and pain interference. DMIs had significant positive effects on cancer patients' depression (SMD - 0.53, 95% CI - 0.93 to - 0.14, P = 0.008) and fatigue (SMD - 0.42, 95% CI - 0.70 to - 0.14, P = 0.003). DMI trials synthesized narratively showed an effect on patients' body image, self-esteem, physical function, right and left handgrip strength, life satisfaction, and the mental component of QOL. CONCLUSION: Both DMT and DMIs had promising effects on several health outcomes, but results were inconsistent, and the evidence was weak. The reviewed studies' low evidence quality and small sample sizes affected the findings' robustness and reliability. Large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials with sufficient sample sizes, and clear and veracious DMT and DMI protocols and data are required to provide more credible research evidence and influence practice.

Effectiveness of dance interventions for falls prevention in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Fall prevention is a global health priority. Strength and balance exercise programmes are effective at reducing falls. Emerging literature suggests dance is an enjoyable and sociable form of exercise. However, there is little evidence that dance reduces fall incidence. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis examining effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of dance for falls prevention in older adults. Five databases were searched with no restrictions on publication date or intervention settings. Risk of bias was assessed using variants of Cochrane Risk of bias tools, Mixed-Methods Appraisal and Drummond checklist as appropriate. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS: Forty-one studies were included (19 RCTs, 13 quasi-experimental, two mixed-method, seven observational studies, 2,451 participants). Five types of dance interventions were identified: ballroom and Latin dance, dance exercise, cultural dance, dance therapy, and low-impact dance. Meta-analysis was only possible for functional outcome measures: Timed-Up-and-Go (dance versus usual care, mean difference (MD) = 1.36; 95% CI -3.57 to 0.85), Sit-to-Stand (dance versus exercise MD = -0.85; 95% CI -2.64 to 0.93: dance versus education MD = -1.64; 95% CI -4.12 to 0.85), Berg Balance Scale (dance versus usual care MD = 0.61; 95% CI -4.26 to 5.47). There was unexplained variance in effects and no significant differences between intervention and control groups. Overall, certainty of evidence was very low; we are uncertain about the effect of dance interventions in reducing falls. CONCLUSIONS: There is very low certainty evidence for dance as an alternative to strength and balance training if the aim is to prevent falls. No robust evidence on the cost-effectiveness of dance interventions for the prevention of falls was found. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42022382908.

Flipping and other astonishing transporter dance moves in fungal drug resistance.

In all domains of life, transmembrane proteins from the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family drive the translocation of diverse substances across lipid bilayers. In pathogenic fungi, the ABC transporters of the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) subfamily confer antibiotic resistance and so are of interest as therapeutic targets. They also drive the quest for understanding how ABC transporters can generally accommodate such a wide range of substrates. The Pdr5 transporter from baker's yeast is representative of the PDR group and, ever since its discovery more than 30 years ago, has been the subject of extensive functional analyses. A new perspective of these studies has been recently provided in the framework of the first electron cryo-microscopy structures of Pdr5, as well as emergent applications of machine learning in the field. Taken together, the old and the new developments have been used to propose a mechanism for the transport process in PDR proteins. This mechanism involves a "flippase" step that moves the substrates from one leaflet of the bilayer to the other, as a central element of cellular efflux.

Jumping demands during classical ballet class.

Ballet class represents a considerable portion of professional ballet training, yet the external training load demands associated with class-and particularly the jumping demands-have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to measure the jumping demands of ballet class by sex and rank. Eleven female and eight male elite professional ballet dancers participated in 109 ballet classes taught by 12 different teachers. Jump counts and jump heights were measured during each class. A Poisson generalized linear mixed effects model was used to examine the differences in jump counts between sexes and ranks. Greater jump counts were observed during class in men than in women (153, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [137, 170] vs. 119, 95% CI [109, 131], p = 0.004) and in junior ranking dancers compared with senior ranking dancers (151, 95% CI [138, 165] vs. 121, 95% CI [108, 135], p = 0.006). Female junior and senior ranking dancers jumped at rates of 9.2 ± 2.6 and 8.6 ± 4.7 jumps·min-1 , respectively, while male junior and senior ranking dancers jumped at rates of 9.1 ± 2.6 and 8.7 ± 2.6 jumps·min-1 , respectively. Across all classes, 73% of jumps observed were below 50% of maximum double-legged countermovement jump height. Unlike rehearsals and performances, class offers dancers an opportunity to self-regulate load, and as such, are a useful session to manage jump load, and facilitate gradual return-to-dance pathways. Communication between health care and artistic staff is essential to facilitate load management during class.

Moving together - benefits of an online dance program on physical and mental health for older women: an exploratory mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies show that in-person dance training is a beneficial form of physical activity that involves mental, social, and physical dimensions. This exploratory study investigated the benefits of a 12-week online dance training intervention on mental and physical health outcomes for older women. METHODS: A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used. Forty-five older adults (74.0 ± 5.3 yrs old, 44 women) were recruited through advertisements at activity and rehabilitation centers in the North Denmark region. The intervention consisted of two weekly 60-min classes of improvisation and salsa delivered online through video call applications. Changes in physical health outcomes (body mass and composition, resting blood pressure, Senior Fitness Test battery) and self-rated health and wellbeing (health-related quality of life (HRQOL), feelings of loneliness) were assessed prior to and after 12 weeks of dancing. Focus group interviews were conducted post-intervention to further explore the benefits as well as the participant's experience of the intervention. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-two participants (all women) completed the study. Significant improvements in fitness were found for the number of arm curls performed (baseline: 12.3 ± 3.0; post-intervention: 13.7 ± 3.0, P = 0.005), 2-min step test performance (baseline: 66.5 ± 20.0 reps.; post-intervention: 73.8 ± 22.6 reps., P = 0.016), and chair sit-and-reach (baseline: 0.4 ± 11.3 cm; post-intervention: 5.5 ± 10.1 cm, P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in body mass from baseline to post-intervention (P < 0.015). The themes from the focus groups included (1) Participation, (2) Challenges, (3) Progression, (4) Motivation, (5) Perceived health and wellbeing, and (6) Online dance instruction. No significant changes were reported in HRQOL and loneliness from the quantitative data, although the qualitative data did reveal improved feelings of physical health and wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention improved several aspects of fitness in older women and improved the participants' perceptions of their own physical abilities and wellbeing. While most participants found the online intervention enjoyable, several participants missed the feedback from the instructors that naturally occurs with in-person instruction.

Effects of square dance exercise on cognitive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: the mediating role of balance ability and executive function.

BACKGROUND: Square dancing is a kind of aerobic fitness exercise without environmental restrictions that yields many benefits for physical and mental health; this exercise is popular among middle-aged and elderly people in China and in these populations in other countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of square dance exercise on the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to research its mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 60 elderly people with MCI (60-69 years old) without square dance experience were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in square dance exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their original lifestyle habits. One week before and after the intervention period, the overall cognitive function, physical fitness, and executive function of both groups were measured. RESULTS: According to the results, square dance exercise directly improved the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with MCI and indirectly affected overall cognitive function through the mediating effects of balance ability and executive function. CONCLUSIONS: Square dance exercise represents a nonpharmacological intervention for the prevention and treatment of MCI. Importantly, it is best to combine this exercise with other forms of physical exercise and comprehensive treatment programs such as cognitive training, social interaction, and psychological intervention to realize its maximum effect.

Polydrug Use Typologies of Regular Ecstasy Users Visiting Electronic Dance Music Events: A Latent Class Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Polydrug use patterns among young adults using ecstasy vary, as well as their willingness to change them. Polydrug use patterns are likely associated with different adverse health outcomes. It is unknown whether polydrug use patterns of young adults who use ecstasy are similar in different countries. This study aims to identify and compare polydrug use patterns and willingness to change them of young adults that use ecstasy in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands (NL), two countries with a high prevalence of ecstasy use and a large electronic dance music (EDM) scene. METHODS: The data from the online cross-sectional Electronic Music Scene Survey were used in a latent class analysis. The binary indicators used in the estimation were past-year substance use of 21 different substances. The sample consisted of young adult ecstasy users that regularly visit EDM events (age 18-34). RESULTS: A total of 1,077 respondents from the UK (age M = 23.1) and 1,178 from the NL (age M = 23.7) that regularly visit EDM events were included in the analyses. In both countries, three polydrug use patterns of ecstasy users were identified based on Bayesian Information Criterion fit indices: a traditional polydrug use class (UK: 28%; NL: 40%), a stimulant and ketamine polydrug use class (UK: 48%; NL: 52%), and an extensive polydrug use class (UK: 24%; NL: 8%) characterized by substantial use of stimulants, depressant, and psychedelic substances. Overall, young adults that used ecstasy in the UK consumed 3,4-methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine (MDMA) more often as powder/crystalline and at higher dosages compared to young adults in the NL who preferred MDMA tablets. Regardless of polydrug class or country, most respondents indicated that they had the intention to reduce but not quit their use. CONCLUSION: In both countries, structurally similar polydrug use patterns among young adults that use ecstasy were found, while the use frequencies of individual substances and preferred MDMA form varied between the countries.

Balletic bodies under lockdown: The consequences of a pandemic for highly disciplined habitus.

Like other elite athletes, ballet dancers are highly dedicated to the pursuit of their vocation. They work to perfect their bodies, their movements and their expression of the art form. The lockdowns that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant interruption to the extraordinary but everyday lives of ballet dancers, creating unique environments where exploration of the embodied habitus of ballet can be further investigated. The impacts of lockdown upon dancers were explored via a series of interviews with 12 professional dancers from Germany. Framed by previous research, theorising the balletic body from a Bourdieusian perspective, interview data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Our research highlights the way in which COVID-19 lockdowns and associated restrictions disrupt the habitus of dancers and results in a form of suffering that is comparable to injury or chronic illness. Our research suggests that individuals respond to the 'structural injuries' of lockdown measures in a manner comparable to the way they respond to physiological injury. Thus, dancers sought to repair or re-establish the social structures they ordinarily inhabit whilst the inevitable limitations of such efforts engendered occasions for reflexive thinking about their role, careers and identity as dancers.