title: Creative Dance Improves Physical Fitness and Life Satisfaction in Older Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of creative dance on physical fitness and life satisfaction in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 57 women (65-80 years old) were randomized to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in a supervised creative dance program for 24 weeks. Physical fitness (strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, motor ability/dynamic balance, and body composition) and life satisfaction were assessed pre- and posttreatment (at 12 and 24 weeks) by the Senior Fitness Test and the Life Satisfaction scale, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, the experimental group had better physical fitness and life satisfaction when compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Creative dance has a positive effect in different dimensions of functioning and has the potential to contribute to healthy aging. This could be related to the integrated mobilization of physical, cognitive, and social skills promoted by creative dance.
authors: Department of Sport and Health, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal anacruzferreira@gmail.com.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Cruz-Ferreira
authors: Department of Sport and Health, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Marmeleira
authors: Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Formigo
authors: Department of Mathematics, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors: Dulce
authors: D
authors: Gomes
authors: Department of Sport and Health, Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness
keywords: elderly; physical health; well-being