Dance as physical exercise for older people

Abstract

The importance of adequate physical activity for older people cannot be overestimated. Evidence exists that physical exercise can improve quality of life; benefit brain areas involved with executive control; delay the age-related decline in functional ability; offer a degree of protection against certain physical and mental disorders; reduce the prevalence of falls by improving flexibility, balance, and muscle strength; and potentially promote longevity. On cellular and molecular levels, aging is said to be marked by genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, impaired protein homeostasis, deregulation of systems involved in nutrient sensing, a decline in mitochondrial integrity and biogenesis, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and changes in intercellular communication. Plausible indications are that physical activity, especially aerobic and resistance training, can have positive anti-aging effects through attenuation of such cellular and molecular mechanisms. Not everyone likes structured exercise; however, various alternatives exist. One alternative is recreational dancing – an activity primarily selected for fun and social interaction, rather than health benefits. We briefly examined the potential benefits of amateur/recreational dance, as a form of exercise, for the health and well-being of older people. A literature search was performed through electronic databases as well as manually. Electronic databases searched were EBSCOhost Research Interface databases; Academic Search Complete; APA; CINAHL and MEDLINE.