The Contribution of Dance to Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Dance classes are an important example of structured physical activity (PA) programs because dance is a highly prevalent type of PA among girls. However, the contribution of dance classes to girls' overall PA is unknown. PURPOSE: To describe the overall PA levels of girls who participate in dance classes, to determine the contribution of dance classes to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and to compare PA between days with a dance class and days without a dance class. METHODS: Participants were 134 girls (11- to 18-years of age) enrolled in ballet, jazz, or tap classes in 11 dance studios. Overall PA was assessed with accelerometry for 8 consecutive days, and girls reported the days and times they attended dance classes on those days. Time spent in sedentary behavior, light PA, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and MVPA was determined. The percent contribution of dance classes to total MVPA was calculated from min·d-1 of MVPA in dance classes and min·d-1 of total MVPA. In a subset of girls (n = 76), data were also reduced to compare PA on days with a dance class (program days) to days without a dance class (non-program days). Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models to control for differences between dance studios, and least squares means were used to compare program and non-program days. RESULTS: Overall, girls obtained an average of 25.0 ± 0.9 min·d-1 of MVPA (including 7.0 ± 0.3 min·d-1 of VPA and 18.0 ± 0.6 min·d-1 of MPA), 271.1 ± 5.0 min·d-1 of light PA, and 535.0 ± 8.7 min·d-1 of sedentary behavior. During dance classes, girls accumulated 7.1 ± 0.4 min·d-1 of MVPA. Across the week, dance classes contributed 28.7% (95% CI: 25.9%-31.6%) of girls' total MVPA. Girls accumulated more MVPA (28.4 ± 1.4 min·d-1 vs. 16.7 ± 1.5 min·d-1) and less sedentary behavior (546.3 ± 12.2 min·d-1 vs. 609.7 ± 14.1 min·d-1) on dance program days than non-program days (p < 0.001). Girls engaged in more light PA, MPA, and VPA on program days than non-program days (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dance classes contributed a substantial fraction of girls' total MVPA, and girls accumulated 70% more MVPA and 10% less sedentary behavior on program days than non-program days. Dance classes can play an important role in providing health-enhancing PA to adolescent girls.