The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-wk. recreational exercise program on mood state of 55 sedentary elderly women, ages 60 to 75 years, as well to examine the minimal amount of weekly exercise needed to produce these changes. The variables comprising mood state were Positive Engagement, Revitalization, Tranquility, and Physical Exhaustion. Subjects were allocated to three exercise groups (n = 15 each) and one control group (n = 10). Exercise was performed for 45 min. three times, twice, or once a week by one group each. Subjects were pre- and posttested on the selected variables. Those who participated three times a week had significantly more positive mood profiles than nonexercisers and those who exercised once a week, but profiles for those who exercised three or two times a week were similar. It is concluded that the group's improvement in both positive and negative affect corresponded to the frequency of exercise in their program. However, participation at least two times a week is necessary for significant mood alterations. Findings are discussed in terms of improvements in design and measurement and the need to focus research on multiple components of fitness in relation to mood state in an elderly sample.

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mar i a ko l e ta 9th Elementary School,Verias, Greece d i m i t ra var sam i Gymnasio of Makroxori, Greece h e l e n e var sam i Piramatiko Gymnasio, Kozanis, Greece d e m o s davo ra s English Language School, Greece ab s t rac tThe aim of this study is to examine whether the education of dance teachers at the Departments of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (DPESS), and their background of knowledge, meets the requirements of traditional Greek dance performance by dancing groups. The study was based mainly on bibliographical research about the stage performance of folk dancing and the training of dance teachers in Greece and abroad (in former-Yugoslavia and Finland). Also taken into consideration are the curricula of the DPESS of Athens, Thessalonica, Komotini, Serres and Trikala for the academic year 2001-2002. In conclusion, we can say that: (a) the training of the dance teacher, with regard to methodology, the techniques of research and an anthropological approach to dance, is satisfactory; Downloaded from and (b) there are no courses on directing, choreography and costume design, all of them necessary for the theatrical presentation of traditional dances. k e ywo r d s dancing group, teaching, traditional dance, university education i n t r o d u c t i o n

The purpose of this study was, first, to evaluate the effects of a 12-week recreational exercise program on the level of physical abilities and on the level of daily activities of 55 sedentary elderly women, aged 60 to 75, and second, to examine the minimal amount of exercise needed to produce these changes. The variables used to test the functional capacity were dynamic balance, muscular endurance, sit and reach flexibility, and muscular coordination. The variables that tested the daily physical activity (ADL) were 20 of the most habitual daily movement activities among the elderly. The subjects were allocated to 3 exercise groups (n = 15 each) and 1 control group (n = 10). Exercise was performed for 1 hour, 3 times, twice, and once a week for the 3 experimental groups, respectively. The subjects were tested before and after the 12-week exercise intervention on the selected variables. The effects of the 12-week training program were significant (p < . 05) for all examined variables for the elderly who participated 3 times and/or twice a week. Specifically, the minimum practice needed for improvement of their agility/dynamic balance, strength, and muscular coordination was once a week, while the minimum amount of practice for their flexibility improvement was twice a week. Similarly, the minimum amount of practice for improvement on their daily movement activities was twice a week. It is concluded that the elderly's improvement concerning their performance on functional capacity and daily activity movement was analogous to the frequency of their implementation to the program. Findings are discussed in terms of design and measurement improvements, and the need to focus research efforts on multiple components of fitness in relation to ADL in the elderly.

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