Effects of dancing on physical activity levels of children and adolescents: a systematic review

Developing an Inclusive Dance Guide for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Co-Design Process and Initial Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Participation in community activities has shown positive outcomes for all children, yet those with cerebral palsy (CP) still experience varying levels of inclusion. This study aimed to address the challenges faced by families of children with CP in accessing community-based dance classes by co-designing a practical guide to support their inclusion.

DESIGN

The guide was developed through a collaborative process involving academic researchers, dance professionals, therapists and families of children with CP. The co-design phase was guided by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), workshops were conducted with 11 research partners, including two parents of children with CP, two community dance teachers, two therapists with experience in dance interventions and five academic researchers. Feedback from 'Dance Teacher Reviewers' who were not involved in the co-design was also incorporated to support the guide's initial feasibility.

RESULTS

The collaborative efforts resulted in an evidence-based guide shaped by lived experiences. It provides actionable strategies to implement inclusive dance approaches effectively, supporting the inclusion of children with CP in community dance settings.

CONCLUSION

The co-designed guide represents a significant step toward facilitating inclusive dance classes for children with CP. Future research should explore the guide's effectiveness and feasibility of implementation across various community settings to ensure its broader applicability and impact.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Parents of children with CP, dance teachers and therapists actively contributed to all stages of this study, from public consultation to collaborative co-design workshops, decision-making, review and refinement of the guide.

The impact of artistic sports on academic self-efficacy

Introduction

Artistic sports have a more positive impact on adolescents on the basis of basic sports. This study delves into the beneficial effects of Artistic sports compared to basic sports in enhancing academic self-efficacy in college students, and investigates the mediating roles of mindfulness, social anxiety, and academic procrastination in this process.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted among students in some universities in Gansu Province, collecting a total of 1,976 online questionnaires, including 263 males and 1,713 females, with 1,543 participants in Artistic sports courses and 433 participants in basic sports. Data processing was carried out using SPSS 26.0 software and its plugin PROCESS.

Results

The analysis results indicate significant differences in mindfulness, social anxiety, academic procrastination, and academic self-efficacy among different types of sports training (ps < 0.05); significant correlations were found among all variables (ps < 0.001). Sports training types can directly predict academic self-efficacy (β = 0.069, t = 3.155, p < 0.01), further confirming that sports training types can directly predict academic self-efficacy. Moreover, mindfulness, social anxiety, and academic procrastination play a chain mediating role between Artistic sports and academic self-efficacy.

Discussion

These findings highlight the potential value of Artistic sports in enhancing academic self-efficacy and provide practical guidance for education policymakers, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to promote adolescent academic and psychological health development. It is recommended to enhance the promotion and training of Artistic sports.

A comprehensive scoping review of intergenerational dance programmes for cohorts with a generational gap

INTRODUCTION

Loneliness and physical inactivity are issues that affect both young people and older adults. This can have negative health outcomes and well as high costs on health services. Physical activity can positively influence both physical and psychosocial health outcomes, however enjoyment is necessary for adherence. Combining exercise with arts-based activities can improve enjoyment for older adults and young people. Dance has been found to be a safe and enjoyable form of physical activity that can be equally or more effective than conventional exercise options. Intergenerational interventions can improve relationships between generations. The aim of this scoping review was to collate and map the available evidence for intergenerational dance.

METHODS

This scoping review followed the guidance outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. A systematic search of nine multidisciplinary databases and four repositories was conducted. Inclusion criteria were intergenerational dance or movement to music programmes. Exclusion criteria included dance movement therapy or groups with less than one generational gap. Data were extracted and summarised using narrative synthesis and research papers were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

The search identified eleven research studies, seven expert opinion/practice expertise and 13 sources from the grey literature. Dance classes were typically 11-12 weeks long. Genres varied with some programmes including co-creation through choreography. Experiences and social outcomes were the most assessed outcomes, with a lack of studies examining physical outcomes. Participants reported enjoying the programmes stating they felt proud for taking part and looked forward to sessions. The term intergenerational was not defined in any paper.

CONCLUSIONS

Intergenerational dance is an emerging area of research. Many programmes run in communities but are not researched, therefore several gaps remain. More large-scale trials are needed around intergenerational dance. Definitions and descriptions of dance and intergenerational activity should be considered in future studies to ensure consistency.

Effects of Dance Music on Motor Skills and Balance in Children: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children in Japan were restricted from sports and outdoor activities. Regular physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development in children, with recommendations advocating for activities such as strength training. However, the long-term effects of the restrictions have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an "exercise class", specifically a dance program, designed to improve motor function in elementary school children affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may have compromised their motor function.

METHODS

The dance program was developed by a sports science teacher, a professional dancer, and a physical therapist, and it was evaluated in a community-based participatory study. Trained dance instructors conducted one-hour dance sessions in a medical center, held once a week for two months from June to August 2023. A physical therapist and dance instructors led the elementary school children. Outcome measures included grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, back muscle strength, dynamic balance function during movement, physical activity time, and body fat percentages. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four children aged 6-9 years participated in the exercise class over a two-month period. Improvement was observed in grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, and dynamic balance function during movement. However, physical activity time, body fat percentages, and back muscle strength did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated a significant improvement in motor skills. Dance is an inexpensive program that elementary school children can enjoy while improving their motor skills.

Women with disabilities, body image, and wellbeing: Assessing the effectiveness of dance sessions

INTRODUCTION

There is growing research evidence on bodily discourses and body image issues of women with disabilities. Within the art-based intervention repertoire for persons with disabilities, dance and movement-based therapies and interventions are gaining prominence. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of dance sessions (delivered online) on body image, body satisfaction/dissatisfaction, and wellbeing of women with disabilities.

METHOD

A quasi-experimental waitlist control design study was conducted with data collected at two time points: baseline or pre-test and five-months later or post-test. Outcomes were measured using the Body Image Scale and the WHO-5-Wellbeing Index.

RESULTS

The dance sessions were effective (Hedges' g = -0.56 -0.88; p < 0.01) and post-test body dissatisfaction scores were lower and wellbeing scores were higher for participants with a college degree or postgraduate degree, self-employed or students, and whose intervention compliance was above threshold (>50% dance sessions attended and corresponding homework sessions completed). Tobit regression models indicated that it was possible to estimate post-test outcomes due to dance sessions alone, controlling for significant socio-demographics.

DISCUSSION

The domain knowledge of non-pharmacological art-based interventions for persons with disabilities, particularly women, is supported.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings commend dance sessions as effective psychotherapeutic mechanisms to mitigate body dissatisfaction, improve body image and wellbeing of women with disabilities. Future research may focus on large-scale cross-sectional trials, variations in the repertoire for women with different disability types and histories, and qualitative narratives.

Effect of Latin dance on physical and mental health: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Latin dance is a well-liked physical activity. It has gained increasing attention as an exercise intervention for improving physical and mental health outcomes. This systematic review examines the effects of Latin dance on physical and mental health.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) were used to report the data for this review. To gather research from the literature, we used recognized academic and scientific databases such SportsDiscus with Full Text, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The systematic review only included 22 studies out of the 1,463 that matched all inclusion criteria. The PEDro scale was used to rate each study's quality. 22 research received scores between 3 and 7.

RESULTS

Latin dance has been demonstrated to promote physical health by helping people lose weight, improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength and tone, and improve flexibility and balance. Furthermore, Latin dance can benefit mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, social connection, and cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Finding from this systematic review provide substantial evidence that Latin dance has effect on physical and mental health. Latin dance has the potential to be a powerful and pleasurable public health intervention.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

CRD42023387851, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero .

The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background: The aim of this review was to examine the physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children and adolescents. We consider the therapeutic benefits of dance and outline the potential of dance as an alternative therapy for certain pathologies and medical disorders. Secondly, we summarize the types of dances used in physical interventions, and comment on the methodologies used. Finally, we consider the use of dance as a different exercise modality that may have benefits for increased physical activity generally, and for increased physical education provision in schools.

Methods: A structured search strategy was conducted using the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science, PsycARTICLES, and Social Science database. This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. Studies that were published in the past 20 years were considered for inclusion. All written publications were searched for in English, and all articles included in this review were peer reviewed full papers.

Conclusion: The key findings from this review indicate that dance is a feasible alternative to traditional physical activity. The findings also indicate that dance provides physiological and psychological benefits to healthy and medically compromised populations. Implementation of dance programs in schools and society generally needs serious consideration by policy makers. We hope that the results of this review stimulate debate and provide the necessary evidence to profile dance as a viable alternative medium of physical activity. Comprehensive and integrated changes will be needed including economical and legislative support from politicians and associated governmental agencies. The findings reported here are important and have implications for health policy change, reconfiguration, and implementation.

A Novel High-Intensity Short Interval Dance Intervention (THANDAV) to Improve Physical Fitness in Asian Indian Adolescent Girls

Background: There exist several barriers to physical activity (PA) among adolescent girls. We therefore developed a culturally acceptable dance/fitness intervention called THANDAV (Taking High-Intensity Interval Training [HIIT] ANd Dance to Adolescents for Victory over noncommunicable diseases [NCDs]). The main aim of this study was to evaluate the THANDAV protocol among Asian Indian girls aged 10 to 17 years. Materials and Methods: THANDAV consisted of a 10-min routine with high- and low-intensity dance steps that was taught to 23 adolescent girls. Heart rate (HR), energy expenditure, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted after the quantitative measurements were completed. Results: The average age of the girls was 13.9 ± 2.1 years, and the mean BMI and BP were 19.8 ± 3.3 kg/m² and 107/68 (±8/7) mm/Hg, respectively. All participants achieved 80% of their maximum HR during the first dance and managed to sustain this HR throughout the 10-min routine. There was a significant increase in the HR (bpm) [88.7 ± 8.4 to 195.6 ± 11.8, P < 0.001] and VO₂ (L/min) [0.025 ± 0.0 to 0.395 ± 0.1, P < 0.001] postintervention. The average energy cost of the activity (metabolic equivalent) was 6.3. The FGDs revealed that THANDAV was a socially acceptable, fun, and energetic form of PA. Conclusions: The THANDAV intervention meets HIIT norms and is a novel culturally appropriate form of PA that is enjoyable, takes little time, and can be done at home. It has the potential to be a sustainable intervention to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and prevent NCDs in Asian Indian adolescent girls. Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2020/02/023384.

Chinese Classical Dancers Have Improved Spontaneous Activity in Visual Brain Areas

Abstract. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies demonstrate that long-term exercise or dance training may cause changes in brain structure and function. However, the changes of neurofunction in the long-term practitioners of Chinese classical dance are still unclear. The purpose of the study is to explore the neurofunctional alterations associated with long-term Chinese classical dance training. Thirty female college students were selected, 15 students majoring in Chinese classical dance (average training years = 9.73 ± 1.75 years) and 15 education-matched non-dancer students with no previous experience of regular dance training. In this cross-sectional design, the resting-state fMRI data were acquired only once to observe the structural and functional changes of the brain. Compared with non-dancers, professional dancers had no significant difference in the total volume of whole brain, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. While in professional dancers, we found increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the left superior occipital gyrus, right Cuneus, and left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex (Calcarine); increased fractional ALFF and regional homogeneity in the right Calcarine, indicating the increase of spontaneous brain activity in these brain areas. Since these brain areas are related to visual cognitive function, the results suggest that long-term Chinese classical dance training is associated with increased spontaneous regional brain activity in the visual areas. This may be closely related to the specific characteristics of Chinese classical dance and long-term professional training.