TY - JOUR

T1 - Scottish country dance

T2 - Benefits to functional ability in older women

AU - Dewhurst, Susan

AU - Nelson, Norah

AU - Dougall, Paul K.

AU - Bampouras, Theodoros M.

PY - 2014/1/1

Y1 - 2014/1/1

N2 - The effects of long-term participation in Scottish country dance on body composition, functional ability, and balance in healthy older females were examined. Participants were grouped into dancers and physically active nondancers (ages 60-70 and 70-80 for both groups). Physical activity, body composition (body-mass index, skinfold thickness, waist-to-hip ratio), functional ability (6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, 8-ft up-andgo time, lower body flexibility, shoulder flexibility), and static balance were measured. Younger dancers and physically active nondancers had similar 6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, and 8-ft up-and-go time results; however, while older dancers performed similarly to younger dancers, older physically active nondancers performed poorer than their younger counterparts (p .05). Body composition and static balance were the same for all groups. Regular physical activity can maintain body composition and postural stability with advancing age; however, Scottish country dance can delay the effects of aging on locomotion-related functional abilities.

AB - The effects of long-term participation in Scottish country dance on body composition, functional ability, and balance in healthy older females were examined. Participants were grouped into dancers and physically active nondancers (ages 60-70 and 70-80 for both groups). Physical activity, body composition (body-mass index, skinfold thickness, waist-to-hip ratio), functional ability (6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, 8-ft up-andgo time, lower body flexibility, shoulder flexibility), and static balance were measured. Younger dancers and physically active nondancers had similar 6-min walk distance, 6-m walk time, and 8-ft up-and-go time results; however, while older dancers performed similarly to younger dancers, older physically active nondancers performed poorer than their younger counterparts (p .05). Body composition and static balance were the same for all groups. Regular physical activity can maintain body composition and postural stability with advancing age; however, Scottish country dance can delay the effects of aging on locomotion-related functional abilities.

KW - Chair sit-and-reach

KW - Functional fitness

KW - Group exercise

KW - Timed up-and-go

U2 - 10.1123/JAPA.2012-0234

DO - 10.1123/JAPA.2012-0234

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23538484

AN - SCOPUS:84891477559

VL - 22

SP - 146

EP - 153

JO - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

JF - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

SN - 1063-8652

IS - 1

ER -