Effect of modified traditional Javanese dance on hand grip strength and walking speed in elderly

Abstract

Sarcopenia is one of the most common phenomena in the elderly. dancing is an alternative to physical therapy to overcome this. The purpose of this study was to see whether there was an effect of giving modified Javanese traditional dance on hand grip strength and walking speed in the elderly. Eleven participants alocated in one group, took part in this study, completed a twelve-week (36 sessions) modified Javanese traditional dance, 35 minutes each session, with moderate aerobic intensity. The outcome measures were hand grip strength as measured by hand dynamometer and walking speed as measured by ten meters walking test (10MWT). Measured before and after 12 weeks intervention. There was a statistically significant increase in hand grip strength (p=0,003) and walking speed (p=0,01) after 12 weeks of giving modified Javanese traditional dance. The results of the calculation of the mean effect size show large results for both hand grip strength (Cohen's D = 0.94) and walking speed (Cohen’s D = 0,88). Thus, the regular twelve-weeks of modified Javanese traditional dance can increase hand grip strength and walking speed ini healthy older adult.