Busting a move on the dance floor can be a lot of fun (even if you’ve got two left feet) – and a new study has provided a compelling reason to keep doing it as we age.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have found people who engage in dance-based activities are 37 per cent less likely to fall than people who do other type of exercises.
The dancers also have significant advantages in terms of balance, control and lower body strength.
Researchers came to this conclusion after running a fine-tooth comb through 29 controlled trials of healthy people over the age of 65, comparing those who undertook dance-based activities with those who engaged in exercises like walking and general aerobics.
Dance-based activities were defined as anything which had coordinated movements structured through music or rhythm, with room for interactions with other participants.
So, both ballroom dancing and tai chi were both considered dancing, for example.
80% of dancers stick with it
The study’s lead author Michèle Mattle, a doctoral student at the University of Zurich, says these results are compelling, and also noted dance-based activities had an 80 per cent adherence rate – much higher than other activities.
“Participants like the interventions, and thus they have fun doing them,” she said.
“The most important thing for physical activity to have a beneficial effect is that you stick with it – life long.”
Makes sense to us!
So next time a dance floor opens up near you, don’t be a shrinking violet!
