title: The effects of low-impact dance on knee torque and lower extremity mobility in middle-aged and older women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although low-impact dance is one of the most prevalent exercises in older persons, little is known about its effects on knee torque and range of motion (ROM) in lower extremity joints.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the effects of low-impact dance on knee torque and lower extremity joint ROM in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six low-impact dancers and 12 physically inactive individuals comprised the dance group (DG) and the control group (CG), respectively. The knee extension torque, knee and ankle ROMs, and bone mineral density in calcanei were measured for all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several ROMs of the lower extremity joints in the dominant leg, ankle inversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion were significantly higher in the DG than in the CG (p < .05). In addition, the ankle inversion of the nondominant leg in the DG was also significantly higher than that in the CG. The knee extension torque of the nondominant leg in the DG was significantly higher than that in the CG (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study did not focus on the efficacy of a particular intervention type, the results showed that low-impact dance can help achieve higher lower extremity ROM and knee torque values than attained by inactive individuals. It is hoped that this exposition of positive benefits will encourage further studies related to the effect of low-impact dance intervention on reducing fall risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation Sport and Health Promotion, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.
authors.forename: Hui-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Te-Hung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Chin-Hsing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Jui-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Chang-Bing
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular