Greek dancing improves strength in elderly heart patients
Friday April 15th, 2016
Elderly people with heart failure could embrace their inner Zorba the Greek and get dancing after a study found that Greek dancing improves their strength and ability to jump.
In
the first study of its kind, new research published today in the European
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing found that patients who participated
in the traditional style of dance were able to jump higher and faster
than those who remained sedentary.
The dancers also had stronger legs and could walk further, said Zacharias Vordos, an exercise physiologist at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece.
“Greek dancing is an important part of weddings and other celebrations, and is popular among older people,” he said.
“We believed dancing would increase the attractiveness of rehabilitation programmes for patients with chronic heart failure. This was the first study to assess the impact of traditional Greek dancing on jumping ability.”
The study included 40 Greek people with chronic heart failure. The group, which had an average age of 73 years, was either randomly assigned to a three-month rehabilitation programme based on traditional Greek dancing or were asked to maintain their usual sedentary lifestyle.
Those undertaking the dancing did three 40 to 65 minute weekly sessions and everyone’s jumping ability was tested prior to the study and at the end, using a Myotest-Pro dynamometer, which measures jump height, amount of time feet are in contact with the ground, and strength and speed during the jumps tested.
There were no differences between groups at the start of the study, but at the end, the dancers found their endurance and leg strength had improved by 10%. They also jumped 10% higher and about 6% faster.
There was no change among those who were in the sedentary group.
“The physical benefits of Greek dancing should give patients more independence in daily life by helping them to walk and climb stairs,” adds Mr Zordos.
“It should also improve their co-ordination and reduce their risk of falling and being injured. It is possible that Greek dancing also gives cardiac benefit as demonstrated by Zumba fitness programmes with Latin music.”
Vordos Z, Kouidi E, Mavrovouniotis F et al. Impact of traditional Greek dancing on jumping ability, muscular strength and lower limb endurance in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 15 April 2016; doi: 10.1177/1474515116636980
Tags: Elderly Health | Europe | Fitness | Heart Health
Printer friendly page