I have been a PE teacher for 21 years and a dance fitness instructor for 5 years so I know the answer to this question already! And all the participants who come to my Zumba Gold Classes already know the answer too, but sooooooo many peeps don’t and THAT, to be hones, kind of freaks me out!
So let me tell you why the answer to the title question is a resounding YES!
We live in an ageing world. Results from the Office for National Statistics reported that between 1974 and 2014, the percentage of the UK’s population over the age of 65, rose by 3.8% to 17.7%; and is projected to grow by a further 6.6% to 24.3% by 2039. And. I expect, similar figures can be seen in other countries throughout the world.
As people age they tend to become increasingly sedentary but there is plenty of evidence that shows that increased levels of physical activity will improve both people’s health and longevity. A report from BUPA in 2011 reviewed “the international evidence for the health benefits of dancing for older people. Exercise programmes for older people commonly experience high drop-out rates. Dance, on the other hand, is an enjoyable and sociable form of exercise where participants report very high levels of motivation.”
With the advent of STRICTLY COME DANCING on the BBC over 10 years ago and getting millions of viewers every year, dance has caught the public’s imagination. And similar programmes have been adopted throughout the world with similar effects.
Dance can now be enjoyed through a variety of venues, outlets and organisations. A quick search of the internet will quickly show you the many options that are available.
So why does dance tick more boxes for improving health and well being than other forms of exercise and why do its participants tend to stick at it?
Well, again, for me, it is a no-brainer! It’s just quite simply THE BEST! (And that comes from a serious ex-hockey player!)
So let’s just list the main. broad benefits: (I am a big list maker)
- Dance is inclusive and so combats social isolation
- Dance can be tailored to match the physical capabilities of the individual (I run classes for the over 50s, people with dementia and those with Parkinson’s Disease)
- Dance can reflect the cultural diversity of a population
- Dance is a social activity and therefore promotes a sense of well-being and social inclusion
- Participants tend to REALLY ENJOY the classes and so keep coming – therefore getting proportionately more, continuous benefits than other forms or exercise!
- It is NOT competitive, there are NO target and therefore, NO failures which contrast to the philosophies behind other sporting pastimes (unless you are taking part in Strictly, of course!)
On a personal aside note, in response to point 6, as mentioned earlier I was a very keen sportswoman for the first 25 years of my life, playing at a high level of hockey but a back injury put paid to that. It took me many, many years to reconcile myself to the new ‘unsporty me’ because that had been what defined me. So I trained to teach it instead which helped and then when I hit my forties, with 2 kids in tow, the pressure sort of left me to still try and define myself as ‘sporty’ and by chance I discovered Zumba, Fitsteps and Just Jhoom – all different forms of dance fitness. And my life was transformed! My chronic back problems will always continue to be chronic but with the addition of dance to my life, I now manage that chronic condition with far, far fewer acute episodes.
Statistics from this BUPA report show that, “Older people don’t get enough exercise Only 20% of men and 17% women aged 65-74 get the recommended levels of physical exercise. For people aged over 75 this falls to 9% for men and 6% for women.”
The report goes on to say,” Regular physical activity by older people reduces the occurrence of a number of chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis. Older people who engage in physical activity live longer and those who carry out more intense physical activity for longer periods live longest on average.”
Specific health benefits from regular participation in dance include:
- Balance, strength and gait (Zumba Gold specifically target these areas) which helps to reduce the risks of falls
- Dance benefits the body and mind and can improve reaction times and cognitive performance.
- Dance is a great form of aerobic exercise.
- Dance can help with specific conditions eg. arthritis, Parkinson’s, dementia and depression. (I have several people in my classes who have had had surgical appointments cancelled because their conditions have improved with strengthening exercises!) IN fact, according to the report, “Taking part in ballroom dancing has been shown to reduce the chances of getting dementia by 76%.”
So you can now see that the answer to the title question, “Can Dance Really Shake Up ALL Parts of the Body?” is a resounding YES.
If you still need convincing, then please click on the link below to read the full BUPA article, with research for the article done by the Centre for Policy for Ageing: Shall We Dance?
There are many different dance genres available so it is important to find one that floats your boat and suits your physical needs. It is also important to find one that is lead by an instructor who is specifically trained in the delivery of physical fitness programmes to the elderly.
So just to prove how much fun we have at our dance classes, have a look at our 2015 entry for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing – Do the Strictly routine”
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7clEwCUuoo8
If you are interested in attending any of my Zumba Gold classes, then click on the phot0 below below for details of classes in Ayr and Prestwick or please send contact me with a question via my contact page.
“
