title: Scottish country dance: benefits to functional ability in older women.
abstract: The effects of long-term participation in Scottish country dance on body composition, functional ability, and balance in healthy older females were examined. Participants were grouped into dancers and physically active nondancers (ages 60-70 and 70-80 for both groups). Physical activity, body composition (body-mass index, skinfold thickness, waist-to-hip ratio), functional ability (6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, 8-ft up-and-go time, lower body flexibility, shoulder flexibility), and static balance were measured. Younger dancers and physically active nondancers had similar 6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, and 8-ft up-and-go time results; however, while older dancers performed similarly to younger dancers, older physically active nondancers performed poorer than their younger counterparts (p < .05). Body composition and static balance were the same for all groups. Regular physical activity can maintain body composition and postural stability with advancing age; however, Scottish country dance can delay the effects of aging on locomotion-related functional abilities.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Science, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dewhurst
authors.forename: Norah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Dougall
authors.forename: Theodoros M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bampouras
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D004856:Postural Balance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012107:Research Design; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013995:Time; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio