Dance and health
Encyclopedia
Dance and health has been subject of a number of research studies which show dance
to be a very healthy exercise. However there are a number of health risks of professional dance
which require careful attention. As part of courtship
dance is a reliable indicator of the dancer's health and intelligence.
, dance brings well known benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
, weight control and other ones commonly associated with physical fitness
. In addition, a considerable effect of dancing on psychological well-being is noted.
However, as Arts Council England
noted in its 2004 address to the British House of Commons
, most evidence in support of these claims is of anecdotal character, and the Arts Council argued that "more needs to be done to demonstrate the specific and special benefits, and extend the delivery, of dance in a range of health contexts." Subsequently Laban did a study which indicated dance had a positive effect on physical fitness and psychological wellbeing and could be considered a valid alternative to sport.
Dance pad
s have proven useful in tackling obesity
in young people and are welcomed in many schools for that reason.
A report by Professor Tim Watson and Dr Andrew Garrett of University of Hertfordshire compared members of the Royal Ballet with a squad of British national and international swimmers. The dancers scored higher than the swimmers in seven out of ten areas of fitness.
An Italian study in 2006 has shown that dance is a very good exercise for heart patients compared to other aerobic exercise
s like cycling
. This may be partly because the patients enjoyed it much more.
A study in New York in 2003 has shown that cognitive activities like crossword
s help ward off dementia
but, except for ballroom dancing
, most physical activities do not.
A recent study done in Perth Western Australia by Debbie Duignan (WA Alzheimers Association) explored the use of Wu Tao Dance as a therapy for people with dementia. It was shown that Wu Tao, dance therapy that works to balance energy in the body, similar to Tai Chi, helped to reduce symptoms of agitation in people with dementia.
A study at the Washington University in St. Louis
School of Medicine in 2007 showed Argentine tango
was better at improving the mobility of Parkinson's disease
sufferers than an exercise class (a later study showed similar benefits from Tai Chi). Because of the level of interest a permanent tango class was set up after the study ended.
A study by Dr Paul Dougall at Strathclyde University
in 2010 concentrating on older women found that Scottish country dance
rs were more agile, have stronger legs and can walk more briskly than people of the same age who took part in exercises such as swimming, walking, golf and keep-fit classes.
, as it can be very demanding. As well as sports injuries
, repetitive strain injury
, and chronic workplace stress
, dancers have a higher than average risk of body image
problems and eating disorders.
is highly recommended. Because a dance injury can ruin a career professional dancers are increasingly refusing to dance on anything else.
In ballet
good plieing (bending the knees) on landing helps protect against knee
injuries and shin splints. Many types of dance, especially folk dances, have hops in the steps where the impact of landing can be reduced by slightly bending the knee.
Warming up
and cooling down
exercises are recommended before and after exercises to avoid strain, muscle pains, and possible injury.
Conditioning is a good way to prevent dance injuries.
(Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is generally regarded as a good first aid therapy for most dance injuries before the ambulance comes, or even for what may be thought of as more minor injuries. For minor injuries light exercises should be started after two days, if it is not definitely on the mend by this time then see a doctor. Pain and inflammation can be reduced using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID) in a gel applied to the affected area (not on broken skin), note however that masking a pain to continue dancing is dangerous as it can easily make an injury very much worse.
each other. Isadora Duncan
said of dance that it needed 'the highest intelligence in the freest body'. Recent studies show how much can be conveyed by dance:
An article in Nature 'Dance reveals symmetry especially in young men'
shows that dance in Jamaica seems to show evidence of sexual selection and to reveal important information about the dancer. Professor Lee Cronk at Rutgers says: "More symmetrical men put on a better show, and women notice." Symmetry is a strong indicator of fitness as it shows developmental stability.
A Swedish study shows that people who score high on intelligence tests are also good at keeping time.
is the scientific study of dance and dancers, as well as the practical application of scientific principles to dance. Its aims are the enhancement of performance, the reduction of injury, and the improvement of well-being and health.
Dance requires a high degree of interpersonal and motor skills, and yet seems built into humans. It has therefore increasing become the subject of neurological
studies. The July 2008 edition of Scientific American contains a summary of recent studies and further questions.
or dance movement therapy is a form of expressive therapy
, the psychotherapeutic
use of movement (and dance
) for treating emotional, cognitive, social
, behavioural and physical
conditions.
Many professionals specialize in dancer's health such as in providing complementary or remedial training or improving mental discipline.
Mental discipline is achieved from dancing when you are learning a dance or choreographing a dance. And also when you need to recall a dance.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
to be a very healthy exercise. However there are a number of health risks of professional dance
Health risks of professional dance
The health risks of professional dance are those generally found in sports injuries. Dancers risk injury within the course of their career, many retiring from active performance in their mid to late 30s...
which require careful attention. As part of courtship
Courtship
Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement...
dance is a reliable indicator of the dancer's health and intelligence.
Benefits of dance
Being in general an aerobic exerciseAerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism...
, dance brings well known benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
, weight control and other ones commonly associated with physical fitness
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
. In addition, a considerable effect of dancing on psychological well-being is noted.
However, as Arts Council England
Arts Council England
Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
noted in its 2004 address to the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, most evidence in support of these claims is of anecdotal character, and the Arts Council argued that "more needs to be done to demonstrate the specific and special benefits, and extend the delivery, of dance in a range of health contexts." Subsequently Laban did a study which indicated dance had a positive effect on physical fitness and psychological wellbeing and could be considered a valid alternative to sport.
Dance pad
Dance pad
A dance pad, also known as a dance mat, dance platform, or jiffer deck is a flat electronic game controller used for input in dance games. Most dance pads are divided into a 3×3 matrix of square panels for the player to stand on, with some or all of the panels corresponding to directions or actions...
s have proven useful in tackling obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
in young people and are welcomed in many schools for that reason.
A report by Professor Tim Watson and Dr Andrew Garrett of University of Hertfordshire compared members of the Royal Ballet with a squad of British national and international swimmers. The dancers scored higher than the swimmers in seven out of ten areas of fitness.
An Italian study in 2006 has shown that dance is a very good exercise for heart patients compared to other aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism...
s like cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
. This may be partly because the patients enjoyed it much more.
A study in New York in 2003 has shown that cognitive activities like crossword
Crossword
A crossword is a word puzzle that normally takes the form of a square or rectangular grid of white and shaded squares. The goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases, by solving clues which lead to the answers. In languages that are written left-to-right, the answer...
s help ward off dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
but, except for ballroom dancing
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
, most physical activities do not.
A recent study done in Perth Western Australia by Debbie Duignan (WA Alzheimers Association) explored the use of Wu Tao Dance as a therapy for people with dementia. It was shown that Wu Tao, dance therapy that works to balance energy in the body, similar to Tai Chi, helped to reduce symptoms of agitation in people with dementia.
A study at the Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
School of Medicine in 2007 showed Argentine tango
Argentine tango
Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of...
was better at improving the mobility of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
sufferers than an exercise class (a later study showed similar benefits from Tai Chi). Because of the level of interest a permanent tango class was set up after the study ended.
A study by Dr Paul Dougall at Strathclyde University
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
in 2010 concentrating on older women found that Scottish country dance
Scottish country dance
A Scottish country dance is a form of social dance involving groups of mixed couples of dancers tracing progressive patterns according to a predetermined choreography...
rs were more agile, have stronger legs and can walk more briskly than people of the same age who took part in exercises such as swimming, walking, golf and keep-fit classes.
Risks of dance
There are various health risks of professional danceHealth risks of professional dance
The health risks of professional dance are those generally found in sports injuries. Dancers risk injury within the course of their career, many retiring from active performance in their mid to late 30s...
, as it can be very demanding. As well as sports injuries
Sports injuries
Sports injuries are injuries that occur in athletic activities. In many cases, these types of injuries are often due to overuse or acute trauma of a part of the body when participating in a certain activity. For example, runner's knee is a painful condition generally associated with running, while...
, repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
, and chronic workplace stress
Workplace stress
Workplace stress is the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker....
, dancers have a higher than average risk of body image
Body image
Body image refers to a person's perception of the aesthetics and sexual attractiveness of their own body. The phrase body image was first coined by the Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst Paul Schilder in his masterpiece The Image and Appearance of the Human Body...
problems and eating disorders.
Avoiding injury
Even for social dance the use of a sprung floorSprung floor
A sprung floor is a floor that absorbs shocks, giving it a softer feel. Such floors are considered the best available for dance and indoor sports and physical education....
is highly recommended. Because a dance injury can ruin a career professional dancers are increasingly refusing to dance on anything else.
In ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
good plieing (bending the knees) on landing helps protect against knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injuries and shin splints. Many types of dance, especially folk dances, have hops in the steps where the impact of landing can be reduced by slightly bending the knee.
Warming up
Warming up
A warm-up is usually performed before participating in technical sports or exercising. A warm-up generally consists of a gradual increase in intensity in physical activity , a joint mobility exercise, stretching and a sport related activity. For example, before running or playing an intense sport...
and cooling down
Cooling down
Cooling down, also called warming down, is the term used to describe an easy exercise that will allow the body to gradually transition from an exertional state to a resting or near-resting state. Depending on the intensity of the exercise, cooling down can involve a slow jog or walk, or with lower...
exercises are recommended before and after exercises to avoid strain, muscle pains, and possible injury.
Conditioning is a good way to prevent dance injuries.
Treatment after injury
RICERICE (medicine)
RICE is a treatment method for soft tissue injury which is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. When used appropriately, recovery duration is usually shortened and discomfort minimized....
(Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is generally regarded as a good first aid therapy for most dance injuries before the ambulance comes, or even for what may be thought of as more minor injuries. For minor injuries light exercises should be started after two days, if it is not definitely on the mend by this time then see a doctor. Pain and inflammation can be reduced using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs, but also referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics or nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medicines , are drugs with analgesic and antipyretic effects and which have, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory...
(NSAID) in a gel applied to the affected area (not on broken skin), note however that masking a pain to continue dancing is dangerous as it can easily make an injury very much worse.
Dance and courtship
Dance has long been recognised as a way for prospective partners to selectSelection
In the context of evolution, certain traits or alleles of genes segregating within a population may be subject to selection. Under selection, individuals with advantageous or "adaptive" traits tend to be more successful than their peers reproductively—meaning they contribute more offspring to the...
each other. Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and only later in her life...
said of dance that it needed 'the highest intelligence in the freest body'. Recent studies show how much can be conveyed by dance:
An article in Nature 'Dance reveals symmetry especially in young men'
shows that dance in Jamaica seems to show evidence of sexual selection and to reveal important information about the dancer. Professor Lee Cronk at Rutgers says: "More symmetrical men put on a better show, and women notice." Symmetry is a strong indicator of fitness as it shows developmental stability.
A Swedish study shows that people who score high on intelligence tests are also good at keeping time.
Scientific study of dance
Dance scienceDance science
Dance science is the scientific study of dance and dancers, as well as the practical application of scientific principles to dance. Its aims are the enhancement of performance, the reduction of injury, and the improvement of well-being and health....
is the scientific study of dance and dancers, as well as the practical application of scientific principles to dance. Its aims are the enhancement of performance, the reduction of injury, and the improvement of well-being and health.
Dance requires a high degree of interpersonal and motor skills, and yet seems built into humans. It has therefore increasing become the subject of neurological
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
studies. The July 2008 edition of Scientific American contains a summary of recent studies and further questions.
Related occupations
Dance therapyDance therapy
Dance therapy, or dance movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance for emotional, cognitive, social, behavioral and physical conditions. As a form of expressive therapy, DMT is founded on the basis that movement and emotion are directly related...
or dance movement therapy is a form of expressive therapy
Expressive therapy
Expressive therapy, also known as expressive arts therapy or creative arts therapy, is the use of the creative arts as a form of therapy. Unlike traditional art expression, the process of creation is emphasized rather than the final product...
, the psychotherapeutic
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
use of movement (and dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
) for treating emotional, cognitive, social
Social
The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...
, behavioural and physical
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
conditions.
Many professionals specialize in dancer's health such as in providing complementary or remedial training or improving mental discipline.
Mental discipline is achieved from dancing when you are learning a dance or choreographing a dance. And also when you need to recall a dance.
Dance and health promotion
There is a large amount of governmental, health and educational information available extolling the benefits of dance for health.External links
- Harkness Centre for Dance Injuries Common Dance Injuries