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Volume 18
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Article

Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders

by
Valerio Bonavolontà
1,*,†,
Francesca Greco
2,†,
Umberto Sabatini
3,
Francisco J. Saavedra
4,
Francesco Fischetti
1,
Carlo Baldari
5,
Laura Guidetti
6,
Maria Grazia Vaccaro
7 and
Gian Pietro Emerenziani
2
1
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
2
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
3
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Neuroradiology, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
4
Research Centre for Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development Sport Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
5
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
6
“Niccolò Cusano” University, 00166 Rome, Italy
7
Neuroscience Centre, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
The contribution of the first two authors must be considered equal.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042036
Submission received: 21 January 2021 / Revised: 12 February 2021 / Accepted: 16 February 2021 / Published: 19 February 2021
(This article belongs to the Collection Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness)
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Abstract

Ballroom dance practice might play a pivotal role for successful aging, but its effects could differ depending on dancers’ experience level. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six months of ballroom dance (three times/w) on physical fitness and reaction time (RT) in 24 middle-aged adults who are experienced dancers (age: 59.4 ± 11.6 years). Body composition, handgrip test (HG), standing long-jump test (SLJ), step test (ST), one-legged stance balance test (OLSB), and RT were assessed before (T0) and after six months (T6) of dance practice. RT was re-evaluated four months later (T10). RT was significantly (p < 0.05) lower at T6 (221.2 ± 20.3 ms) and T10 (212.0 ± 21.9 ms) than T0 (239.1 ± 40,7 ms); no significant differences were found between T6 and T10. No significant differences were observed for all the other parameters between T0 and T6: weight and muscle mass were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in females than in males, and percentage of fat mass was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in females than in males. HG was significantly higher in males than females (p < 0.01). Results suggest that in experienced middle-aged adults of both genders, ballroom dance may positively influence RT, and this result could be maintained for four months.
Keywords: cognitive functions; aging; partnered dances; fall prevention; physical activity cognitive functions; aging; partnered dances; fall prevention; physical activity

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Bonavolontà, V.; Greco, F.; Sabatini, U.; Saavedra, F.J.; Fischetti, F.; Baldari, C.; Guidetti, L.; Vaccaro, M.G.; Emerenziani, G.P. Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042036

AMA Style

Bonavolontà V, Greco F, Sabatini U, Saavedra FJ, Fischetti F, Baldari C, Guidetti L, Vaccaro MG, Emerenziani GP. Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(4):2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042036

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bonavolontà, Valerio, Francesca Greco, Umberto Sabatini, Francisco J. Saavedra, Francesco Fischetti, Carlo Baldari, Laura Guidetti, Maria Grazia Vaccaro, and Gian Pietro Emerenziani. 2021. "Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042036

APA Style

Bonavolontà, V., Greco, F., Sabatini, U., Saavedra, F. J., Fischetti, F., Baldari, C., Guidetti, L., Vaccaro, M. G., & Emerenziani, G. P. (2021). Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042036

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