title: Effect of a 10-week traditional dance program on static and dynamic balance control in elderly adults.
abstract: This preliminary study examined the effect of a 10-wk traditional Greek dance program on static and dynamic balance indices in healthy elderly adults. Twenty-six community-dwelling older adults were randomly assigned to either an intervention group who took supervised Greek traditional dance classes for 10 wk (1 hr, 2 sessions/week, n = 14), or a control group (n = 12). Balance was assessed pre- and postintervention by recording the center-of-pressure (COP) variations and trunk kinematics during performance of the Sharpened-Romberg test, 1-leg (OL) stance, and dynamic weight shifting (WS). After practice, the dance group significantly decreased COP displacement and trunk sway in OL stance. A significant increase in the range of trunk rotation was noted during performance of dynamic WS in the sagittal and frontal planes. These findings support the use of traditional dance as an effective means of physical activity for improving static and dynamic balance control in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sofianidis
authors.forename: Vassilia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hatzitaki
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Douka
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grouios
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors