The effects of dance training program on the postural stability of middle aged women.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women. METHODS: Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.13 ± 12.07 cm, body mass=63.81 ± 10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.63 ± 6.22 cm, body mass=64.79 ± 8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial. CONCLUSION: An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women.

Effects of Short-term Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Male Adults with Myocardial Infarction.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term exercise training on the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of individuals suffering from myocardial infarction. [Subjects] A total of 60 participants were divided into experimental (EXP; n=30, mean age 56.7 ± 2.8 years, body mass 80.7 ± 10.7 kg, body height 171.9 ± 7.2 cm) and control (CON; n=30, mean age 56.5 ± 3.1 years, body mass 84.4 ± 12.4 kg, body height 171.5 ± 12.4 cm) groups. [Methods] The members of the EXP group took part in an organized daily physical exercise program (Monday through Sunday), for a period of 3 weeks. The exercise program consisted of 60 min daily specialized fitness exercises with an intensity ranging from 55-70% of the maximum heart rate, which was determined by test on a bicycle ergometer. The effects of the exercise were monitored by means of the following parameters: maximum oxygen uptake (VO2peak), resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. [Results] The results indicate statistically significant post-exercise improvements in heart rate, relative oxygen uptake and systolic blood pressure, among the members of the EXP group. The results indicate that at the initial measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness no statistically significant differences were found between the groups at the multivariate level (Wilk's λ=0.83), while statistically significant differences in the cardiorespiratory fitness were found at the final measurement (Wil's λ=0.430). [Conclusion] The obtained results indicate that the exercise program, which lasted for a period of 21 days, though shorter in duration than other programs still led to statistically significant changes in the CRF of individuals suffering from MI.

Age-related decrease in physical activity and functional fitness among elderly men and women.

AIM: To determine differences in physical activity level and functional fitness between young elderly (60-69 years) and old elderly (70-80 years) people with the hypothesis that an age-related decline would be found. METHODS: A total of 1288 participants' level of physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire: 594 were male (mean ± standard deviation: body height 175.62 ± 9.78 cm; body weight 82.26 ± 31.33 kg) and 694 female (mean ± standard deviation: body height 165.17 ± 23.12 cm; body weight 69.74 ± 12.44 kg). Functional fitness was also estimated using the Senior Fitness Test: back scratch, chair sit and reach, 8-foot up and go, chair stand up for 30 seconds, arm curl, and 2-minute step test. RESULTS: Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for all Senior Fitness tests between young elderly (60-69 years) and old elderly (70-80) men. Similar results were found for the women, except no significant differences were found for the chair sit and reach and the 2-minute step test. From the viewpoint of energy consumption estimated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, moderate physical activity is dominant. In addition, with aging, among men and women older than 60 years, the value of the Metabolic Equivalent of Task in total physical activity significantly reduces (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the reduction in physical activity level and functional fitness was equal for both men and women and was due to the aging process. These differences between young and old elderly people were due to the reduction of muscle strength in both upper and lower limbs and changes in body-fat percentage, flexibility, agility, and endurance.

Effects of two different programs of modern sports dancing on motor coordination, strength, and speed.

This study aimed to determine the effects of two different programs of modern sports dancing on coordination, strength, and speed in 60 beginner-level female dancers, aged 13 and 14 yrs. The subjects were divided into two experimental groups (E1 and E2), each numbering 30 subjects, drawn from local dance clubs. In order to determine motor coordination, strength, and speed, we used 15 measurements. The groups were tested before and after the experimental programs. Both experimental programs lasted for 18 wks, with training sessions twice a week for 60 minutes. The subjects from the E1 group trained according to a new experimental program of disco dance (DD) modern sports dance, and the E2 group trained according to the classic DD program of the same kind for beginner selections. The obtained results were assessed by statistical analysis: a paired-samples t-test and MANCOVA/ANCOVA. The results indicated that following the experimental programs, both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in the evaluated skills, but the changes among the E1 group subjects were more pronounced. The basic assumption of this research was confirmed, that the new experimental DD program has a significant influence on coordination, strength, and speed. In relation to these changes, the application of the new DD program was recommended for beginner dancers.

Religiousness as a protective factor for substance use in dance sport.

Although religiousness is found to be a significant protective factor in substance use, there is an evidential lack of studies of such in athletes. The aim of the study was to identify the predictive value of the religiousness and some social, educational, and sport factors on substance use in 43 sport dancers. An originally developed questionnaire for studying substance use and precipitation factors was applied. The Chi-square showed male dancers as more religious than females. Using the Spearman's correlation, religiousness was found to be a significant protective factor in cigarette smoking, sport nutritional supplementation, and the likelihood of doping. Data were interpreted emphasizing the previous findings from the literature.