title: B.A.I.L.A. - a Latin dance randomized controlled trial for older Spanish-speaking Latinos: rationale, design, and methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity (PA) has documented health benefits, but older Latinos are less likely to engage in leisure time PA than older non-Latino whites. Dance holds a promise as a culturally appropriate form of PA that challenges individuals physically and cognitively. This paper describes a randomized controlled trial that will test the efficacy of BAILAMOS, a 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance program, for improving lifestyle PA and health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults (n=332), aged 55+, Latino/Hispanic, Spanish speaking, with low PA levels, and at risk for disability will be randomized to one of two programs, a dance program or health education control group. BAILAMOS is a 4-month program that meets two times per week for one 1h per session. Dance sessions focus on instruction, including four styles of dance, and couples dancing. Bi-monthly Fiestas de Baile (dance parties) are also included, in which participants dance and practice what they have learned. Monthly 1-hour discussion sessions utilize a Social Cognitive framework and focus on knowledge, social support, and self-efficacy to increase lifestyle PA. The health education control group will meet one time per week for two 2h per session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary outcomes including PA changes and secondary outcomes including self-efficacy, physical function, cognitive function, and disability will be assessed at baseline, 4, and 8 months. It is hypothesized that PA, self-efficacy, physical function, cognitive function, and functional limitations and disability scores will be significantly better in the BAILAMOS group at 4 and 8 months compared to the control group.
authors: University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, 1919 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States; University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, Center for Research on Health and Aging, 1747 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, United States. Electronic address: marquezd@uic.edu.
authors: David X
authors: DX
authors: Marquez
authors: Rush University, College of Nursing, 600 S. Paulina, 1062B, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors: JoEllen
authors: J
authors: Wilbur
authors: University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, Center for Research on Health and Aging, 1747 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, United States.
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: Hughes
authors: University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, Methodology Research Core, 1747 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, United States.
authors: Michael L
authors: ML
authors: Berbaum
authors: Rush University Medical Center, Departments of Neurological Sciences and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, 600 South Paulina Street, Suite 1038, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors: Robert S
authors: RS
authors: Wilson
authors: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, 906 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Buchner
authors: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, 906 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: McAuley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D012107:Research Design; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Aging; Latin dance; Latino; Older adults; Physical activity