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A master's thesis from Aalborg University

Effect of 6-week Faroese chain dance on health, balance and physical function

Author

Term

4. semester

Publication year

2018

Submitted on

Abstract

Langvarig fysisk inaktivitet kan føre til helbredsproblemer og ses ofte hos ældre. Dans, uanset stilart, kan forbedre den generelle kondition. Dette studie undersøgte, om et program med færøsk kædedans kunne påvirke helbred, balance og fysisk funktion hos raske ældre. I alt deltog 25 voksne over 67 år, som blev tilfældigt fordelt i en træningsgruppe og en kontrolgruppe. Træningsgruppen gennemførte et 6 ugers danseprogram to gange om ugen: 30 minutter i de første 3 uger og 45 minutter i de sidste 3 uger. Før og efter forløbet målte vi blodtryk, hvilepuls, vægt, muskelmasse og fedtprocent. Balance blev vurderet med Berg Balance Scale og Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (standardiserede balancetests). Fysisk funktion blev vurderet med Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up & Go (TUG), 6-minutters gangtest og 30-sekunders rejse-sætte-sig-test (almindelige tests af mobilitet, udholdenhed og benstyrke). Resultaterne viste statistisk signifikante forbedringer i SPPB og Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale for træningsgruppen (p < 0,05), men ingen ændringer i blodtryk, hvilepuls, vægt, muskelmasse eller fedtprocent. Konklusionen er, at et 6 ugers program med færøsk kædedans forbedrer balance og fysisk funktion hos ældre voksne.

Prolonged physical inactivity can lead to health problems and is common among older adults. Dance, in many styles, can improve general fitness. This study examined whether a Faroese chain dance program could affect health, balance, and physical function in healthy older adults. Twenty-five adults over the age of 67 were randomly assigned to an exercise group and a control group. The exercise group completed a 6-week dance program twice a week: 30 minutes for the first 3 weeks and 45 minutes for the last 3 weeks. Before and after the program, we measured blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight, muscle mass, and body fat percentage. Balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (standardized balance tests). Physical function was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up & Go (TUG), the 6-minute walk test, and the 30-second sit-to-stand test (common tests of mobility, endurance, and lower-body strength). Results showed statistically significant improvements in SPPB and the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale for the exercise group (p < 0.05), with no changes in blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight, muscle mass, or body fat percentage. In conclusion, a 6-week Faroese chain dance program improves balance and physical function in older adults.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]