Effects of Habitual Low-Impact Dance on the Balance and Torque of the Knees of Older Female Individuals

Abstract

Backgroud: Despite of many people engaging in aerobic dance activities, little knowledge was reported regarding the effects of low-impact dance on the balance, torque and range of motion (ROM) of joints of the lower extremities. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether any differences existed in terms of the aforementioned variables between older females who regularly engaged in low-impact dance and those who were physically inactive. Method: In total, 38 older females comprised the subjects of this study, which consisted of a dance group (DG) and a control group (CG). The extension torque of the knees, dynamic and static balance, and ROMs of the hip and ankles of all participants were measured. Results: Dynamic balance in the DG was significantly higher than that in the CG (13.0 ± 4.7 vs. 5.5 ± 7.8 times, p <0.05). Although the knee extension torque for both legs was higher in the DG than in the CG, a significant difference was only found in the non-dominant leg. A few ROMs of lower-extremities joints in the dominant leg, ankle inversion, plantiflexion and dorsiflexion were significantly higher in the DG than the CG (p < 0.05). In addition, ankle inversion of the non-dominant leg in the DG was also significantly higher than that in the CG. Conclusions: Compared to their physically inactive counterparts, older females who habitually engage in low-impact dance had significantly higher dynamic balance, knee extension in the non-dominant leg, and ROMs of several joints of the lower extremities. Although this research was not an intervention study, these positive results should encourage further studies, because the aforementioned parameters are associated with risk factors for and reductions in falls.