Fox trot, salsa, waltz!
A new trial, led by the University of Sydney, will be the first in the world to test the relationship between social dancing, cognition and falls in the older population.
A University of Sydney-led trial will soon become the first in the world to test the effectiveness of social dancing on falls and cognition in older people.
The multi-centre project plans to introduce classic ballroom dance routines – including the rumba, foxtrot, salsa, the waltz, and even some ‘rock n roll’ – as twice-weekly recreational activities at 13 aged care centres and retirement villages across Sydney.
Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the University of Sydney trial aims to reduce the incidence of falls for elderly Australians by as much 37 per cent.
“We know that formal exercise programs, particularly those that include balance challenging training, can help prevent falls, but formal training exercises may not be the best way to optimise results,” said research lead, Dr Dafna Merom, who is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health and co-appointee at the University of Western Sydney.
“There are promising alternatives.”
Often described as ‘old time dancing’, Dr Merom said these classic dances boast the right moves needed in an exercise routine to reduce the risk of falls in the older population.
“Dance is a complex sensory motor rhythmic activity. It also has cognitive and social dimensions. This package as a whole can simultaneously address a wide range of physiological and cognitive risk factors that contribute to falls.
“Evidence from preliminary study showed what a promising, sustainable alternative to formal exercise programs social and ballroom dancing can be.
“Small-scale randomised controlled trials have shown that all sorts of dance styles can improve measures of balance and mobility in older people.”
“Studies have shown that seniors who do some type of dancing have better balance and gait characteristics than people of a similar age who don’t, including those who exercise. Social dancing or ballroom dancing is enjoyable and already available in the community.”
The multi-centre study titled, The effectiveness of social dancing as a strategy to prevent falls in older people: a cluster randomised controlled trial, will begin early next year and feature researchers from the University of Sydney, University of Western Sydney, Australian National University, and the University of Hong Kong.
They aim to recruit 450 older adults in the trail, who will participate in the year-long dance program.
The University of Sydney estimates that approximately one-third of community-dwelling persons aged 65 or above fall each year, and about half of them suffer recurrent falls.
Between five and 10 percent of falls will result in serious injuries such as fractures of the wrist, pelvis, and hip. Even without physical injury, falls can lead to fear of falling, poor quality of life, loss of independence, and nursing home admission.
In NSW, the cost of health care associated with seniors’ fall-related injuries was estimated in 2006/7 at $558.5 million, or almost five percent of that year’s total health care budget.
As the population ages, this cost is expected to rise: if the current rate of falling continues, it is estimated that by 2051, in NSW alone, over 440,000 public hospital bed days per year will be required to cope with fall-related injuries in older people.
To find out more information about being involved in the trial, email Victoria Hollick at victoria.hollick@sydney.edu.au
I am 78 years of age and would like to know where the dance classes will be held. I must admit that I have done some ballroom dancing before which included Foxtrot, quickstep, old time waltz, viennese waltz, tango, jive and rock and roll, cha cha, samba, rumba, mambo (which is salsa) and new vogue. I gave it up as the partners were thin on the ground and took up the gym instead, although I would still love to dance.
Regards
Diana Neubacher
I am 68 years of age and have been doing Nia Dance for the past year. I enjoy the one hour classes (1-2 per week). Dancing has made my legs stronger, balance much better, co-ordination has improved and best of all I have more energy and feel mentally sharper. Dance has all the elements that help improve health and well being. These are aerobic and weight bearing exercise, mentally processing the moves, joy of moving to music, range of joint movement, flexibility and stamina.
My advice is to keep dancing…. whatever style you choose.
Kind Regards
Anne Wheeler
I have been using hydrotherapy and the gym to keep fit for some years now.
However, even though I can see the benefits, it does get a bit boring.
The idea of dancing is very appealing.
I have been teaching Zumba Gold for one year at the Terrigal Senior Citizens and would love to be involved in your study. Zumba Gold is a low impact, easy to follow Latin inspired fitness party that keeps you in the groove of life. We hold two classes now due to its popularity! We tango,salsa,flamenco,cha cha, belly dance, samba and roll and roll to beautiful music and our fitness and agility levels have improved dramatically! I am a Registered Nurse, Weight Loss Practitioner and have just turned 60! My students are all 60 to 70 years young and we have lots of fun improving our health. I am looking for venues to hold more classes in 2012. Regards Rosalie Winter RN