title: Dance Class Structure Affects Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: A Study of Seven Dance Types.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims were to determine: (a) how class structure varies by dance type, (b) how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior vary by dance class segments, and (c) how class structure relates to total MVPA in dance classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 291 boys and girls ages 5 to 18 years old enrolled in 58 dance classes at 21 dance studios in Southern California. MVPA and sedentary behavior were assessed with accelerometry, with data aggregated to 15-s epochs. Percent and minutes of MVPA and sedentary behavior during dance class segments and percent of class time and minutes spent in each segment were calculated using Freedson age-specific cut points. Differences in MVPA (Freedson 3 Metabolic Equivalents of Tasks age-specific cut points) and sedentary behavior ( < 100 counts/min) were examined using mixed-effects linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The length of each class segment was fairly consistent across dance types, with the exception that in ballet, more time was spent in technique as compared with private jazz/hip-hop classes and Latin-flamenco and less time was spent in routine/practice as compared with Latin-salsa/ballet folklorico. Segment type accounted for 17% of the variance in the proportion of the segment spent in MVPA. The proportion of the segment in MVPA was higher for routine/practice (44.2%) than for technique (34.7%). The proportion of the segment in sedentary behavior was lowest for routine/practice (22.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The structure of dance lessons can impact youths' physical activity. Working with instructors to increase time in routine/practice during dance classes could contribute to physical activity promotion in youth.
authors.affiliation: a San Diego State University.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopez Castillo
authors.forename: Jordan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Kelli L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: Edith A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.forename: Emmeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sallis
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003615:Dancing / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057185:Sedentary Behavior
keywords: accelerometry; instruction; sedentary behavior; sports