Effects of Cha-Cha Dance Training on the Balance Ability of the Healthy Elderly

Han Li, Xuan Qiu, Zhitao Yang, Zhengxiao Zhang, Gang Wang, Youngsuk Kim () and Sukwon Kim ()
Additional contact information
Han Li: Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Xuan Qiu: Department of Physical Education, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China
Zhitao Yang: Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Zhengxiao Zhang: Department of Physical Education, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China
Gang Wang: Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Youngsuk Kim: Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Sukwon Kim: Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-11

Abstract: Neuro-musculo-skeletal degradations with advancing age are generally accompanied with mobility problems and poor health status, contributing to impaired physical function and increased risk of falls. In an effort to diminish a fall-related risk such as unstable balance, a variety of interventions have been studied and implemented. Yet, there have been few studies to evaluate the effect of Cha-cha dance training on postural balance or balance performance of the elderly. The Cha-cha dance is composed of moderate rhythm and symmetrical movements and is easy to master and even easier for the elderly to begin. The purpose of this study was to intervene the fitness exercise through 12-week Cha-cha dance training, evaluate its impact on the balance ability of the elderly, and provide a scientific experimental basis for the elderly to participate in the Cha-cha dance exercise. Forty healthy elderly people with no difference in balance ability were randomly divided into two groups. The Cha-cha training group (CTG, n = 20) regularly participated in Cha-cha dance class, 3 times a week, 90 min each time, for a total of 12 weeks, and the control group (CONG, n = 20) did not participate in the class and engaged to their regular daily life. Dynamic and static balance were measured at pre and post intervention. Overall, the results showed that dynamic balance and static balance in CTG were significantly improved after the intervention. In addition, the results showed that the improvement was more significant in trials in left foot than right foot, and trials in closed eyes than open eyes, respectively. In conclusion, a 12-week Cha-cha dance class or program alone can be an effective intervention to improve balance of the elderly.

Keywords: Cha-cha; elderly; balance; intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13535/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13535/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13535-:d:946923

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().