title: To dance or not to dance? A comparison of balance, physical fitness and quality of life in older Irish set dancers and age-matched controls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to determine if older adults regularly participating in Irish set dancing have superior balance, physical fitness and quality of life compared to age-matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a community-based, observational cross-sectional design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regular set dancers (n = 39) and age-matched controls (n = 33) were recruited. Participants were assessed using the physical activity scale for the elderly (physical activity levels), mini-BESTest (balance) and senior fitness test (battery of functional fitness tests). Quality of life was also assessed using the EuroQol EQ visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When controlling for between-group differences in levels of physical activity (ANCOVA analysis), the dancers had significantly better balance, functional capacity and quality of life (all P < 0.05) compared to controls. No differences between the groups were observed in other measures of functional fitness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggest regular participation in set dancing is associated with health benefits for older adults. These results may inform future studies prospectively examining the role of set dancing for falls prevention, emotional well-being and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: joanne.s@outlook.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shanahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coman
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Unit/CSTAR @UL, Department of Maths and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Department of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ni Bhriain
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Community; Exercise; Gerontology; Irish set dancing; Older adults