Abstract
BackgroundStructured physical activity (PA) programs are well positioned to promote PA among youth, however, little is known about these programs, particularly dance classes. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe PA levels of girls enrolled in dance classes, 2) determine the contribution of dance classes to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and 3) compare PA between days with a dance class (program days) and days without a dance class (non-program days).MethodsParticipants were 149 girls (11-18 years) enrolled in dance classes in 11 dance studios. Overall PA was assessed with accelerometry for 8 consecutive days, and girls reported when they attended dance classes during those days. The percent contribution of dance classes to total MVPA was calculated, and data were reduced to compare PA on program days to non-program days. Data were analyzed using mixed models, adjusting for total monitoring time.ResultsGirls engaged in 25.0 ± 0.9 minutes/day of MVPA. Dance classes contributed 28.7% (95% CI: 25.9%-31.6%) to girls' total MVPA. Girls accumulated more MVPA on program (28.7 ± 1.4 minutes/day) than non-program days (16.4 ± 1.5 minutes/day) (p < 0.001). Girls had less sedentary behavior on program (554.0 ± 8.1 minutes/day) than non-program days (600.2 ± 8.7 minutes/day) (p < 0.001).ConclusionsDance classes contributed a substantial proportion (29%) to girls' total MVPA, and girls accumulated 70% more MVPA and 8% less sedentary behavior on program days than on non-program days. Dance classes can make an important contribution to girls' total physical activity.
Highlights
Structured physical activity (PA) programs are well positioned to promote PA among youth, little is known about these programs, dance classes
One study [5] has used accelerometry to examine the contribution of structured physical activity programs to total daily physical activity
Girls obtained an average of 25.0 minutes per day of moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA), 271.1 minutes per day of light physical activity, and 535.0 minutes per day of sedentary behavior
Summary
Structured physical activity (PA) programs are well positioned to promote PA among youth, little is known about these programs, dance classes. Structured physical activity programs are organized activities that are typically planned and occur within a specific setting [4]. These programs include physical education classes, organized sports, activity classes or lessons, and after-school programs. Structured physical activity programs are well positioned to assist youth in meeting the physical activity guideline, little is known about these programs. One study [5] has used accelerometry to examine the contribution of structured physical activity programs to total daily physical activity. Wickel and Eisenmann [5] found that among 6- to 12-year-old boys, youth sport and physical education classes contributed approximately 23% and 11% to their daily MVPA, respectively
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