The analysis of teaching quality evaluation for the college sports dance by convolutional neural network model and deep learning.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the quality of college physical dance education using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models and deep learning methods. The study introduces a teaching quality evaluation (TQE) model based on one-dimensional CNN, addressing issues such as subjectivity and inconsistent evaluation criteria in traditional assessment methods. By constructing a comprehensive TQE system comprising 24 evaluation indicators, this study innovatively applies deep learning technology to quantitatively assess the quality of physical dance education. This TQE model processes one-dimensional evaluation data by extracting local features through convolutional layers, reducing dimensions via pooling layers, and feeding feature vectors into a classifier through fully connected layers to achieve an overall assessment of teaching quality. Experimental results demonstrate that after 150 iterations of training and validation on the TQE model, convergence is achieved, with mean squared error (MSE) decreasing to 0.0015 and 0.0216 on the training and validation sets, respectively. Comparatively, the TQE model exhibits significantly lower MSE on the training, validation, and test sets compared to the Back-Propagation Neural Network, accompanied by a higher R2 value, indicating superior accuracy and performance in data fitting. Further analysis on robustness, parameter sensitivity, multi-scenario adaptability, and long-term learning capabilities reveals the TQE model's strong resilience and stability in managing noisy data, varying parameter configurations, diverse teaching contexts, and extended time-series data. In practical applications, the TQE model is implemented in physical dance courses at X College to evaluate teaching quality and guide improvement strategies for instructors, resulting in notable enhancements in teaching quality and student satisfaction. In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive evaluation of university physical dance education quality through a multidimensional assessment system and the application of the 1D-CNN model. It introduces a novel and effective approach to assessing teaching quality, providing a scientific foundation and practical guidance for future educational advancements.

Enhancing community engagement, public involvement, and social capital through researchers' participation in community dance projects: unexpected outcomes in underserved communities.

BACKGROUND: The Dance and Health project aimed to promote public involvement in health research. Public involvement leads worked with project partner community groups, Aakash Odedra Dance Company and Moving Together, to develop a community engagement project with people living in low-socioeconomic areas/deprivation and diverse ethnic minority groups. Dance and Health included a weekly 60-min dance class and 30 min of facilitated health science discussion, that could either be a public involvement discussion for a research project, an activity about a particular biomedical research theme or ongoing discussions with a visiting researcher. The goal of this paper is to explore the impact of the Dance and Health project on the social capital of participants and provide key learnings on how to engage and build partnerships with people from underserved groups in health research contexts. METHODS: Qualitative interviews and focus groups were completed which explored participant and dance tutor experiences in community venues. Participants were aged between 22 and 90, most were female and were from Asian ethnic minority groups and White British groups living in deprived neighbourhoods in Leicester. Qualitative data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The responses to the Dance and Health project were positive across all the focus groups. Central themes identified were Feedback on the Project, Motivation to Exercise, Criticism of the NHS, Mental Wellbeing, Engagement in a Post Pandemic New Normal, Accessibility and Inclusivity, Empowerment and Building Social Capital. DISCUSSION: The focus groups evidenced that the project had broad impact. Participants expressed empowerment and ownership and described a range of social capital enrichment generated through the project including networks and friendships, access to the institutional resource of health science, and the opportunity to engage with a health and leisure activity that was valued and meaningful.

A research team worked with community dance schools in Leicester to try to get more people from the Asian community and from poorer neighbourhoods involved in research and science. By taking part in the project, people benefitted from an opportunity to exercise and to learn about and influence health research taking place locally. However, the researchers also noticed that there were other benefits to the project. Dancing and learning about health science helped people bond and form new friendships. The researchers joined in, and this helped build friendships and trust between participants and people working in science and research. This is called bridging which is where we bring people together from different groups. The dance sessions made the researchers more approachable and less intimidating, so it was easier to trust them and build friendships. Bridging and bonding are ways of building social capital. Social capital describes the social resources that people can access in their neighbourhoods and communities e.g. facilities (village halls or clubs) and support networks. Researchers delivered focus groups in which participants talked about Feedback on the Project, Motivation to Exercise, Criticism of the NHS, Mental Wellbeing, Engagement in a Post Pandemic New Normal, Accessibility and Inclusivity, Empowerment and Social Capital. This supported the idea that projects where we try to engage with communities can build social capital. This is most likely when projects provide safety and accessibility, (1) and flexibility, a sense of belonging, commitment, communication, being genuine, relevance, sustainability (4).

Interpersonal Synchrony in Dance/Movement Therapy: Neural Underpinnings for Individuals with Dementia.

Rising global levels of dementia including Alzheimer's disease call for the treatment of both cognitive and psychosocial deficits of this population. While there is no cure for dementia, the progression can be slowed, and symptoms eased. The positive effects of exercise and dance have been documented as has interpersonal synchrony. Dance/movement therapy uses kinesthetic empathy, attunement, and mirroring to communicate, synchronize, and connect with clients, salient for a population that often struggles with loneliness and isolation. Here I offer a perspective on how dance/movement therapy promotes the social functions and neural underpinning of interpersonal synchrony, possibly providing neuroprotection for this population.

The role of dance movement therapy in enhancing emotional regulation: A literature review.

Background: Emotion regulation is a crucial skill that can significantly impact mental health, social interactions, and overall well-being. Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses dance and movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration. Objectives: This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of scholarly research and publications exploring the impact of DMT on enhancing emotion regulation capabilities. Methods: A literature search was conducted in various databases, and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to ensure the relevance and quality of the chosen research. The data extraction and analysis phase involved carefully extracting pertinent information from each selected study and a methodical approach to analysis aimed at synthesizing and interpreting the findings cohesively. Results: The review highlights the potential benefits of DMT in regulating emotions and identifies gaps and disparities in existing research, emphasizing potential areas that warrant further investigation. Conclusion: The findings of this review contribute to a robust exploration of the relationship between emotion regulation and DMT, shedding light on the impact of DMT on emotion regulation and providing insights into future research directions.

Validated Tools Used to Assess Musculoskeletal Injuries in Dancers: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Dance is a physically demanding art form that often results in musculoskeletal injuries. To effectively treat these injuries, standardized and reliable assessment tools designed to the dancer's needs are required. Thus, the aim of this review is to identify studies that have employed validated tools to assess musculoskeletal injuries in ballet, modern, and contemporary dancers, focusing on describing the content and psychometric quality of the tools used. Methods: This systematic review is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022306755). PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus databases were searched by two independent reviewers. Articles assessing musculoskeletal injuries with validated tools in ballet, modern and/or contemporary dancers and written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included. Non-peer reviewed articles, books, conference abstracts, thesis/review articles, or case design studies were excluded. The original validation studies were compiled when necessary. Two independent reviewers conducted a standardized data extraction and evaluated the methodological quality using an adapted Downs and Black checklist. Results: From the 3933 studies screened, 172 were read to verify if they met the inclusion criteria, resulting in 37 studies included accounting for 16 unique validated tools. Two were imaging exams, one was an injury classification system, and 13 were self-reported injury questionnaires. Only four injury assessment tools were validated for dancers, emphasizing the need for further validation studies for the dance population. Most of the articles (57%) achieved high-quality methodological scores and the remaining (43%) reported medium-quality scores. Conclusions: Valid, reliable, and specific tools to assess dance injuries are lacking in general. For enhanced methodological rigor in future studies, the incorporation of validated tools is recommended to improve methodological quality and facilitate cross-study comparisons. Researchers may consider conducting validation studies, involving processes such as translation into another language, validation of modifications to the original tool, or reporting reliability within the article itself.

Enhancing Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Efficacy for Middle-Aged Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence Through Square Dance Integration: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is effectively managed through pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), yet poor adherence often undermines its efficacy. Given square dancing's popularity among middle-aged women, its integration with PFMT could potentially increase patient compliance. This study aims to investigate the impact of a hybrid program combining square dance and PFMT on SUI symptoms, quality of life, and treatment adherence in this demographic. Methods: Seventy-seven female participants from Luoyang were randomly allocated to an intervention group undergoing a 12-week program combining square dancing with PFMT, and two control groups receiving standard health advice or square dancing alone. Outcomes were assessed using subjective urinary incontinence rating, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), and a PFMT diary for compliance. Satisfaction was scored on a 10-point scale. Results: Participants (mean age: 53.35±5.11 years) did not differ significantly at baseline. Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in SUI symptoms and quality of life compared to both control groups (P < 0.05), with higher compliance (96.54% vs 54.82% in control I) and satisfaction (8.86±0.85). Conclusion: Combining PFMT with square dancing significantly improved SUI symptoms, quality of life, and adherence among middle-aged women. Notably, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions during the 12-week intervention period, the communal and enjoyable nature of square dancing likely contributed to enhanced motivation and satisfaction.

A Chinese Dance Therapy Framework.

Genuine Chinese dance therapy is in the ascendant and psychiatric approaches that involve a broad spectrum of principles such as ontological identity, social inclusion and collective support, aestheticisation and expressive catharsis, symbolic exorcism, trance and Buddhist mindfulness. Its models are based on a wealth of Chinese dance genres originating from various dynasties as well as cultural traditions of ethnic minorities. Due to different epistemological backgrounds of Western diagnostic manuals and traditional Chinese views of mental diseases, complex understanding of pathologies and therapeutic dynamics is needed. Therefore, this opinion piece suggests a theoretical framework that encourages interdisciplinary approaches as well as inclusive transcultural psychiatry and related philosophy of science.

Dextromethorphan Associated Neurotoxicity with Cerebellar Edema (DANCE) Syndrome in Young Children: Neuroimaging Features.

Dextromethorphan toxicity in young children (especially those with age 4 years or younger) can have an extremely poor prognosis if untreated. However, if timely recognized and optimally managed, it can have a good clinical outcome despite significant initial insult. We present 3 pediatric cases (< 5 years old) with sudden unresponsiveness following ingestion of cough medications containing dextromethorphan. All these children showed cytotoxic edema in cerebellar hemispheres on MR brain, with diffusion restricting foci in supratentorial white matter in 2 patients. These features resemble the recently described acute opioid toxidrome in children, the POUNCE syndrome (Pediatric Opioid Use-associated Neurotoxicity with Cerebellar Edema). Hence, we name this entity "DANCE" (Dextromethorphan Associated Neurotoxicity with Cerebellar Edema) to increase the awareness of dextromethorphan toxicity in young children and the need to promptly recognize it to initiate optimal management.ABBREVIATIONS: POUNCE= Pediatric Opioid Use-associated Neurotoxicity with Cerebellar Edema; DANCE= Dextromethorphan Associated Neurotoxicity with Cerebellar Edema.

A 6-Week Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Intervention to Improve Professional Ballet Dancers' Psychological States Around Performance.

Background: Mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches have been trialled in professional sport. The present pilot study was a randomized controlled trial with professional ballet dancers investigating the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach, developed for athletes, compared to an education program which included topics relevant to ballet and performance. Methods: Participants included 16 professional ballet dancers (2 men and 14 women) who were randomly assigned into either the MAC or education group for 1 session per week, for 6 weeks. Participants were assessed pre-and post-intervention using the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS) and the Acceptance Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II). Within 2 weeks of the final mindfulness session, all participants completed a semi-structured interview. Results: No differences were found when comparing the questionnaire responses between pre- and post- intervention, nor between the MAC group and the control group at post intervention for all subscales. Although dancers reported in the interviews that the sessions were valuable, they advised their ability to dedicate time to mindfulness ongoing would be challenging. Conclusions: Mindfulness interventions, as explored in this study, show promise to promote the well-being of professional ballet dancers. For consistent and ongoing mindfulness practice, future designs should seek to embed mindfulness practice into dancer and company schedules.

Quality of Life Measures in Young Pre-Professional Dancers Compared to Non-Athletes and Non-Dancer Athletes.

Aim: To investigate quality of life (QoL) measures in a cohort of young female dancers. Methods: Cross-sectional survey study design was utilized to study dancers 8 to 17 years enrolled in two elite dance schools in the Boston area. The main outcome measure was the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL 4.0) questionnaire, a validated QoL survey for children, with established normative values for comparison. Demographics and questions pertaining to training regimens and injury/illness history were also included. Sub-groups (8-11 years, 12-14 years, and 15-17 years) were created to analyze outcomes by age. Results: One hundred and forty emails were delivered, 72 were completed and included in the final data analysis (51.4%). The median scores for physical, psychosocial, emotional, social, and school PedsQL sub-scales were 87.5, 90.0, 80.0, 100.0, and 92.5, respectively. The median score of the total PedsQL scores was 88.8. No difference in QoL outcomes by age group was found (physical: P = .328; psychosocial: P = .918; emotional: P = .673; social: P = .573; school: P = 0.962; total: P = 0.766). 52.5% of the participants responded that they regularly perform in shows. Median hours/week of dance rehearsal was 10 hours (mean ± standard deviation: 10.3 ± 4.9; 95% CI: 9.0, 11.6; IQR: 7.0, 13.5; range: 2.0, 20.0) and 68.9% reported they practice and rehearse throughout the entire calendar year as opposed to solely during the school year; most dancers reported participating in dance 11 months (median value) per year (mean ± standard deviation: 10.7 ± 0.8; 95% CI: 10.5, 11.0; IQR: 10.0, 11.0; range: 9.0, 12.0). Conclusion: QoL measures for young female dancers were higher relative to existing data for the general population and lower compared to other sports participation. These results will support the social, emotional, and physical health of young dancers.

The role of technology-based dance intervention for enhancing wellness: A systematic scoping review and meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Dance represents a promising alternative to traditional physical activity (PA), appealing due to its ease of implementation and its associated health benefits. By incorporating technology-based dance interventions into the development of PA programs, there is potential to significantly increase PA participation and improve fitness levels across diverse population groups. This systematic scoping review and meta-synthesis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of technology-based dance interventions as a means of advancing public health objectives. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using various databases ( PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus) to identify pertinent publications. We specifically focused on studies evaluated the impact of technology-based dance interventions on health-related outcomes and PA levels. Methodological quality assessment was carried out using the Cochrane RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Data analysis and theme identification were facilitated using NVivo 14. Additionally, this study was registered on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/rynce/registrations. RESULTS: A total of 3135 items identified through the literature search. Following screening, twelve items met the study's inclusion criteria, with an additional three articles located through manual searching. These 15 studies examined on three types of technology-based dance intervention: mobile health (mHealth) combination, online /telerehabilitation classes, and exergaming dance programs. The analysis included 344 participants, with mean ages ranging from 15.3 ± 1.2-73.6 ± 2.2 years. There were five population groups across the studies: middle-aged and older adults, individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), individuals with stroke, overweight adults, and overweight adolescents. The meta-synthesis revealed three primary themes: Acceptability, Intervention effects, and Technology combinations. CONCLUSION: The advantages highlighted in this scoping review and meta-synthesis of technology-based dance interventions indicating that this type of PA could provide an effective solution to the growing issue of physical inactivity. It also presents a promising strategy for systematically improving fitness and health across populations, particularly among older individuals.

Foot and Ankle MRI Findings in Asymptomatic Professional Ballet Dancers.

Background: Previous research in sport populations has demonstrated that abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings may be present in individuals without symptoms or known pathology. Extending this understanding to ballet, particularly in relation to the foot and ankle, is important to guide medical advice given to dancers. Purpose: To assess foot and ankle MRI scans in asymptomatic ballet dancers focusing on bone marrow edema and the posterior ankle and to investigate whether these MRI findings would become symptomatic within 1 year. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: In total, 31 healthy dancers (62 feet/ankles; 15 male and 16 female; age, 26.5 ± 4.3 years) who were dancing in full capacity were recruited from an elite professional ballet company. Orthogonal 3-plane short tau inversion recovery imaging of both feet and ankles was obtained using 3T MRI and the images were reviewed using a standardized evaluation form by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. Injuries in the company were recorded and positive MRI findings were assessed for correlation with any injuries requiring medical attention during the subsequent 12 months. Results: A total of 51 (82%) of the 62 feet and ankles had ≥1 area of bone marrow edema. The most common locations of bone marrow edema were the talus (n = 41; 66%), followed by first metatarsal (n = 14; 23%). Os trigonum and Stieda process were seen in 5 (8%) and 8 (13%) ankles, respectively. Among them, 2 os trigona showed bone marrow edema. Fluid in the anterior and posterior talocrural joints and the subtalar joint was observed in 48%, 63%, and 63% of these joints, respectively. Fluid around foot and ankle tendons was observed, with the most prevalent being the flexor hallucis longus tendon (n = 13; 21%). Two dancers who had positive findings on their MRI subsequently developed symptoms during the next 12 months. Conclusion: Positive MRI findings are commonplace in the foot and ankle of asymptomatic professional ballet dancers. The majority do not result in the development of symptoms requiring medical attention within 12 months. Careful interpretation of MRI findings with the dancer's clinical picture is required before recommending activity modification or further intervention.

Benefits of an online group dance program for adolescents' social bonding and wellbeing.

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing effects on mental health made it clearer than ever that social bonds are critical for survival, flourishing, and mental wellbeing. Experimental laboratory-based research with children and adults shows that activities involving movement alignment and joint action, such as dance, can facilitate social bonds. METHODS: This study examined whether an online group dance intervention positively affects social bonding and wellbeing using a randomized control design. Participants were 58 UK adolescents aged 11-16 years (N = 52 girls, 75% White, 7% Asian/Asian British, 18% Mixed-Other), randomly assigned to an online intervention or waitlist control group. Participants in the intervention group completed an online 5-week hip-hop dance program during the Covid-19 pandemic in January to February 2021. Measures of social bonding, wellbeing, and future orientation were taken at the beginning and end of the program. RESULTS: Linear mixed model analyses examining group × timepoint interaction showed greater increase in social bonding (p < .0001), and wellbeing (p < .0001) in the intervention vs control group. Moreover, increases in bonding significantly predicted increases in wellbeing (p < .0001), and increases in bonding (p = .03) and wellbeing (p = .0002) significantly predicted increases in the adolescents' hope for the future. CONCLUSIONS: These data, collected at a time of mass social isolation, show that a 5-week-long online dance activity can help adolescents forge stronger social bonds, and improve their wellbeing and future orientation. Our findings suggest that the wellbeing and future orientation benefits of group dance may stem from having stronger social connectedness, opening up avenues for future research and interventions.

Effects of jazz dance and concurrent training on psychological variables in menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of two 16-week interventions with jazz dance and concurrent training compared to a control group on anxiety, depression, stress, mood, and the perspective of aging in menopausal women, after 1-month, post-intervention, and at the 6-month follow-up. METHODS: 70 post-menopausal women (53.19 ± 3.39 years) randomized into 3 groups:intervention group with Jazz Dance (JD); intervention group with Concurrent Training (CT), and Control Group (CG). Both interventions lasted 16 weeks, with 60-min classes, JD with a frequency of two weekly classes, and CT three times a week. The intensity of the JD was progressive and according to the frequency of beats per minute of the songs. In CT, the aerobic an initial intensity of 60% of HRmax, reaching 90%, and resistance the volume of sets and loads increased progressively throughout the intervention. Questionnaires related to symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale); stress (Perceived Stress Scale); mood (Brunel Mood Scale); and aging perspective (Sheppard Inventory) were applied. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and protocol adherence analysis were performed. RESULTS: In the protocol analysis, the JD showed improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms after 1-month, which remained at the follow-up. The TC presented reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms after 16 weeks, which also remained at the follow-up. Considering stress, the CT showed improvements at all times and the JD post-intervention. As for mood, the CT presented reduced anger, mental confusion, and fatigue only after 1-month, and both exercise groups presented increased vigor at all times. CONCLUSION: Both interventions were beneficial, however dance showed immediate results for anxiety and depression, and concurrent training for stress. Considering mood, concurrent training was more effective for anger, mental confusion, and fatigue, while both interventions were effective for vigor. REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) RBR - 87ndrv.

Effects of Dance-Based Aerobic Training on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

(1) Background: Mild cognitive impairment in older adults is a condition characterized by a decrease in mental abilities that affects their quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an aerobic training program based on dance on depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. (2) Methods: This study employed a randomized controlled trial design with a total of 92 older adults with cognitive impairment, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 47) undergoing dance-based aerobic training and a control group (n = 45) who did not receive any intervention. Depression was assessed using the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, sleep quality through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and quality of life through the SF-36 questionnaire. (3) Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in depression (t(46) = 4.783, p = 0.000) and in the PSQI domains: subjective sleep quality (t(46) = 3.333, p = 0.002, and Cohen's d = 0.35), sleep duration (t(46) = 5.511, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.73) and PSQI total score (t(46) = 2.116, p = 0.040, and Cohen's d = 0.20). Regarding quality of life, improvements were observed in all domains of the questionnaire: the general health (t(46) = -9.374, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.03), physical function (t(46) = -9.374, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.03), the physical role (t(46) = -5.954, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 1.06), the emotional role (t(46) = -6.200, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.80), social function (t(46) = -5.585, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.53), physical pain, (t(46) = -9.224, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 1.04), vitality (t(46) = 2.289, p = 0.027, and Cohen's d = 1.27), mental health, (t(46) = -7.985, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 1.33), the physical summary component, (t(46) = -13.532, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 1.81), and in the mental summary component (t(46) = -10.6 81, p = 0.000, and Cohen's d = 0.06); (4) Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that they suggest that a dance-based aerobic training program improves mental health and quality of life in older people with mild cognitive impairment, providing a non-pharmacological approach to improve general well-being in this population.

DiADEM-Dance against Dementia-Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Physical Fitness in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Preserving health and physical fitness is critical to ensure independent living across the lifespan. Lower levels of physical fitness are associated with age-related cognitive decline and a higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, this study investigates the influence of a six-month dance intervention on selected measures of physical fitness in older adults with MCI. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 55 patients with MCI were randomized into a sportive dance training (IG; n = 26; age: 70.7 ± 5.6 years; 62% female) or an inactive control group (CG; n = 24; age: 69.1 ± 6.8 years; 46% female). The dance group received two 90 min dance training sessions per week over a duration of six-months, which focused on learning dance movement patterns. During the training sessions, heart rate was measured to control exercise intensity. Physical fitness was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), lower limb functional fitness via sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength, and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: We observed that the dance intervention preserved the cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during CPET, which decreased in the CG. Furthermore, participants in the IG demonstrated increases in leg and handgrip strength, although these were not statistically significant. HRV displayed a non-significant decrease following the intervention. Conclusions: The results of this randomized controlled trial suggest that sportive dance training can preserve elements of physical fitness (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness) in older adults with MCI. Although improvements in the other parameters (i.e., leg and handgrip strength) were statistically non-significant, likely due to the small sample size, stabilizing muscular fitness and preventing age-related decline in older adults with MCI is important for maintaining functional independence. For future studies, we recommend a longer training duration paired with precise control of regular physical activity levels, an important confounding factor.

Adaptive Adjustments in Lower Limb Muscle Coordination during Single-Leg Landing Tasks in Latin Dancers.

Previous research has primarily focused on evaluating the activity of individual muscles in dancers, often neglecting their synergistic interactions. Investigating the differences in lower limb muscle synergy during landing between dancers and healthy controls will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of their neuromuscular control patterns. This study enrolled 22 Latin dancers and 22 healthy participants, who performed a task involving landing from a 30 cm high platform. The data were collected using Vicon systems, force plates, and electromyography (EMG). The processed EMG data were subjected to non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) for decomposition, followed by classification using K-means clustering algorithm and Pearson correlation coefficients. Three synergies were extracted for both Latin dancers and healthy participants. Synergy 1 showed increased contributions from the tibialis anterior (p < 0.001) and medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.024) in Latin dancers compared to healthy participants. Synergy 3 highlighted significantly greater contributions from the vastus lateralis in healthy participants compared to Latin dancers (p = 0.039). This study demonstrates that Latin dancers exhibit muscle synergies similar to those observed in healthy controls, revealing specific adjustments in the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles among dancers. This research illustrates how dancers optimize control strategies during landing tasks, offering a novel perspective for comprehensively understanding dancers' neuromuscular control patterns.

Effects of dance sports exercise on vestibular function and balance of children with sensorineural hearing loss; a randomized quasi-experimental trial.

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children have difficulty living and limited movement due to impaired vestibular function and reduced balance ability. Objectives: The present study evaluated the effects of Latin dance training on the vestibular function and balance of SNHL children. Methods: Thirty SNHL children with no difference in vestibular function and balance ability were randomly divided into two groups, the Latin dance training group (LTG, n = 15) and the control group (CONG, n = 15). Vestibular function, timed eyes-closed static (ECS) and functional reach test (FRT) were measured before and after the intervention, and a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed. Results: After training, the vestibular function performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 16.425 ± 3.616 vs. LTG: 12.241 ± 2.610, p = 0.0411, ES = 1.3914), the left foot ECS performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 2.765 ± 0.872 vs. LTG: 4.688 ± 1.113, p = 0.0026, ES = 1.9857), the right foot ECS performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 3.113 ± 0.639 vs. LTG: 4.797 ± 1.071, p = 0.0137, ES = 2.01), the FRT performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 32.009 ± 6.134 vs. LTG: 43.797 ± 6.616, p = 0.0021, ES = 1.9135). Conclusions: After Latin dance training, SNHL children improved vestibular function and balance. The static balance ability of the left foot has been improved significantly than right foot.

La danza afroecuatoriana: alternativa metodológica para la inclusión de estudiantes con hiperactividad en la Educación Física

Se reconoce que la danza afroecuatoriana es un lazo de conexión con los ancestros y la identidad, y aporta una educación del movimiento que facilita, a su vez, el desarrollo de valores educativos en torno al tratamiento del cuerpo; ello favorece la motivación hacia la práctica de la actividad física continuada. El objetivo de la investigación radica en proponer la danza afroecuatoriana como una alternativa metodológica para la inclusión de estudiantes con hiperactividad y se contextualiza en décimo año, con un total de 35 estudiantes, y una muestra de un estudiante con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad, de la Básica Superior de la Unidad Educativa "José Otilio Ramírez Reina", provincia de Esmeraldas en Ecuador. El estudio, se sustentó en un enfoque cuantitativo-cualitativo y el método dialectico-materialista; se emplearon métodos del nivel teórico como el histórico-lógico y el análisis-síntesis y del nivel empírico el análisis documental, la observación y la encuesta, para interpretar las derivaciones obtenidas en cada etapa que transitó desde el nivel exploratorio, descriptivo, hasta llegar a una explicación del fenómeno investigado. Los resultados revelan el insuficiente reconocimiento de la danza afroecuatoriana para la inclusión de estudiantes con este trastorno, así como la escasa producción científica relacionada con la temática. Del estudio realizado se concluyó que la danza afroecuatoriana constituye una vía expedita para un mejor conocimiento, disfrute y preservación de la identidad, en estos estudiantes.

Reconhece-se que a dança afro-equatoriana é um vínculo de ligação com os ancestrais e a identidade, e proporciona uma educação em movimento que facilita, por sua vez, o desenvolvimento de valores educativos em torno do tratamento do corpo; Isso favorece a motivação para a prática de atividade física continuada. O objetivo da pesquisa consiste em propor a dança afro-equatoriana como alternativa metodológica para a inclusão de alunos com hiperatividade e está contextualizada no décimo ano, com um total de 35 alunos, e uma amostra de um aluno com transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, da Escola Básica Superior da Unidade Educacional "José Otilio Ramírez Reina", província de Esmeraldas no Equador. O estudo baseou-se na abordagem quanti-qualitativa e no método dialético-materialista; Métodos do nível teórico como histórico-lógico e análise-síntese e do nível empírico, análise documental, observação e levantamento, foram utilizados para interpretar as derivações obtidas em cada etapa que passou do nível exploratório, descritivo, até chegar a uma explicação do fenômeno investigado. Os resultados revelam o insuficiente reconhecimento da dança afro-equatoriana para a inclusão de alunos com esse transtorno, bem como a limitada produção científica relacionada ao tema. Do estudo realizado concluiu-se que a dança afro-equatoriana constitui um caminho expedito para um melhor conhecimento, diversão e preservação da identidade destes alunos.

Afro-Ecuadorian dance is a bond of connection with ancestors and identity, and provides an education in movement that facilitates, in turn, the development of educational values around the treatment of the body; this favors motivation towards the practice of continued physical activity. The objective of the research lies in proposing Afro-Ecuadorian dance as a methodological alternative for the inclusion of students with hyperactivity and is contextualized in the tenth grade, with a total of 35 students, and a sample of a student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, from the Higher Basic School "José Otilio Ramírez Reina" Educational Unit, province of Esmeraldas in Ecuador. The study was based on a quantitative-qualitative approach and the dialectical-materialist method; methods from the theoretical level such as historical-logical and analysis-synthesis and from the empirical level, documentary analysis, observation and survey, were used to interpret the derivations obtained in each stage that went from the exploratory, descriptive level, until reaching an explanation of the phenomenon investigated. The results reveal the insufficient recognition of Afro-Ecuadorian dance for the inclusion of students with this disorder, as well as the limited scientific production related to the topic. From the study carried out, it was concluded that Afro-Ecuadorian dance constitutes an expeditious route for better knowledge, enjoyment and preservation of identity in these students.