Segmenting Recreational Dance Communities in Greece: Cultural Identity, Lifelong Engagement, and Inclusive and Participant-Centered Approaches to Dance Programming

Aglaia Zafeiroudi (), Dimitrios Goulimaris, Kostas Alexandris and Georgia Yfantidou
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Aglaia Zafeiroudi: Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Dimitrios Goulimaris: Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece
Kostas Alexandris: Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Georgia Yfantidou: Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: This study explored how dance style preferences among recreational dancers in Greece reflect intersections of cultural identity, demographic background, and lifelong engagement. A total of 912 participants were analyzed using chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, and k -means cluster analysis. Significant associations were found between gender and stylistic preferences, with women favoring ballet and contemporary styles, while men preferred traditional and partner-based forms such as tango. Kruskal–Wallis tests indicated that age influenced stylistic preferences, though it did not significantly differentiate participant clusters. A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between age and years of dancing experience. k -means clustering revealed four distinct participant profiles based on gender, residence, experience, and stylistic engagement, highlighting culturally shaped participation patterns. Urban dancers exhibited broader stylistic diversity, whereas rural dancers showed stronger preferences for traditional genres, emphasizing the influence of cultural heritage. These findings demonstrate how identity, environment, and experiential factors could shape recreational dance paths across the lifespan. The study highlights the need for culturally responsive, inclusive, and participant-centered dance education and culturally informed tourism programming that accommodates diverse pathways of engagement. Future research is recommended to investigate motivational factors and cross-cultural patterns to further deepen understanding and inform recreational dance communities.

Keywords: urban–rural dynamics; demographics; dance style preferences; traditional vs. contemporary dance; heritage expression; cultural tourism; dance education; arts-based engagement; leisure practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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