Country Line Dancing: An Aerobic Activity for Older Women?

Abstract

Country line dancing (CLD) is a popular activity among older women. The American College of Sports Medicine and Health Canada recommend that aerobic exercise be performed for 20–60 min, 3–5 times/week, at an intensity of 65–90% of maximal heart rate (HR). The study measured responses to a bout of CLD in older women to determine whether it might be considered an aerobic activity for this population. Twenty healthy older women performed a 12-min walk lest (12WT) and a 1-hr CLD class. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and breathlessness (RPB) were compared between the 12WT and a representative 12-min period of the CLD class. Mean HR during CLD and the 12WT were not different. Mean RPE and RPB values were also similar between CLD and 12WT. The results suggest that CLD meets the guidelines for aerobic activity and can be considered an acceptable form of aerobic exercise for older women.

Health benefits of dancing activity among Korean middle-aged women

“…A great deal of research has been conducted in the past on the effects of exercise in menopausal women. Many studies have pointed out the importance of exercise in preventing physiological health diseases (Gordon, Overend, & Vandervoort, 2001 ; McKinlay, McKinlay, & Brambilla, 1987 ), but research is currently lacking that suggests effects of leisure activities as methods to overcome the mental plight that can be experienced after menopause.…”

“Life Without Line Dancing and the Other Activities Would be Too Dreadful to Imagine”: An Increase in Social Activity for Older Women

“…Line dancing is taught in a group and necessitates learning a sequence of steps. Gordon et al (2001) consider it an energetic alternative to traditional aerobic classes. However, despite the strenuous exercise it provides, and the popular music that accompanies it, the prevailing view in Cape Town is that it is a dance form suitable only for older women, particularly as no partners are required (Nadasen, in press).…”

“…Other studies (Chao et al, 2000;Cooper & Thomas, 2002;Paulson, 2005;Scourfield, 2006) have variously concentrated on older people's perception of exercise, their subjective experiences and beliefs, their exercise adherence, and the symbolic value of certain exercises. In addition, and of special note, are Gordon et al (2001), which looks specifically at line dancing as a form of aerobic exercise, and Gavin et al (2003), which examines the class attendance and enrollment rates of older women. However, other than a cursory mention by Cooper and Thomas (2002:698) of the pleasure gained from the "sociability" of dancing, and a mention by Paulson (2005:39) of attendance at a few social events outside the exercise class, none of the other studies mentioned above looks beyond the immediate functional or symbolic value of the exercises.…”

‘We are too busy being active and enjoying ourselves to feel the aches and pains’: perceived health benefits of line dancing for older women

“…To date there has also been scant qualitative research on the perceived or actual benefits of line dancing, be it physically, psychologically or sociologically. The studies conducted in Canada have concentrated largely on quantitative measures of functional health, enrollment and dropout rates (Gavin & Myers, 2003;Gordon et al, 2001). To the best of my knowledge no study has been conducted on the interplay between line dancing and the perceived or actual health benefits on older women.…”

“…According to Gordon et al (2001), line dancing is considered to be another form of lowimpact aerobic dance. In their study of older women in Canada, they concluded that country line dancing elicited similar results to aerobic walking, an activity that has been recognised as having definite exercise benefits.…”