EFFECT OF REGULAR PRACTICING GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES ON BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS IN ADULT PEOPLE

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a Greek traditional dances program on adult individuals’ body composition parameters. For this purpose, 73 sedentary healthy adults, 42 women and 31 men, aged 38-58 years, were randomly chosen and separated into an experimental and a control group. The subjects of the experimental group (n=37, 22 women and 15 men) engaged in a 24-week Greek traditional dance program with moderate intensity, and at a frequency of three training sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes. The control group (n=36, 20 women and 16 men) did not engage in any physical activity. Body mass, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured, and BMI, body fat percentage and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were assessed pre- and post-24-week Greek traditional dances program. For the statistical analysis the Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 23.0 for windows was used. No significant difference was found in the baseline measurements between the two groups. After the participation in the 24-week Greek traditional dances intervention program the experimental group presented significant decreases in body mass from 77,71±16,8 kg to 75,57±15,7 kg (t=5,121, p<0,001), in BMI from 25,75±4 kg/m2 to 25,05±3,8 kg/m2 (t=5,289 p<0,001), in BF percentage from 28,3±6,4% to 26,33±5,6% (t=5.279 p<0,001) and in WC from 89,81±12,9 cm to 87,46±12 cm (t=5.703, p<0,001). No significant difference was found after the 24-week period for the control group. Regarding the WHR, no significant change was observed, although the experimental group showed a tendency for reduction while the control group showed a slight increase. The results of this study indicate that Greek traditional dances are a very beneficial alternative exercise form that brings favorable changes in body mass and body composition parameters. In general, among its multiple utilities and benefits, dancing can contribute to weight loss programs. Article visualizations: