title: The effects of dance training program on the postural stability of middle aged women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.13 ± 12.07 cm, body mass=63.81 ± 10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.63 ± 6.22 cm, body mass=64.79 ± 8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women.
authors: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
authors: Radmila
authors: R
authors: Kostić
authors: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
authors: Slavoljub
authors: S
authors: Uzunović
authors: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
authors: Tijana
authors: T
authors: Purenović-Ivanović
authors: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
authors: Đurđica
authors: Đ
authors: Miletić
authors: GEL, Teofilou and Bolanaki, Ano Liosia, Athens, Greece.
authors: Georgija
authors: G
authors: Katsora
authors: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
authors: Saša
authors: S
authors: Pantelić
authors: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.
authors: Zoran
authors: Z
authors: Milanović
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: dance; dynamic balance; posture stability; women