The Energy Expenditure of Ballroon Dance

Abstract

Ballroom dance is quickly becoming a popular form of physical activity. There have been limited studies regarding the energy expenditure of ballroom dance. PURPOSE: To determine the energy expenditure of ballroom dance and compare these results with current ACSM and CDC guidelines for physical activity. METHODS: Participants consisted of 24 college-age individuals (12 male, 12 female). Oxygen uptake was recorded and used to determine energy expenditure during 30-minutes of ballroom dance (waltz, fox trot, swing, cha cha). Dances were performed in four-minute intervals with two-minute rest periods between each dance. The swing dance was repeated in order to reach 30-minutes of total activity. RESULTS: Mean energy expenditure during the 30-minutes of total activity including rest was 5.88 ± 1.7 kcal/min. Energy expenditure during the waltz (6.01 ± 1.8 kcal/min), fox trot (6.01 ± 1.9 kcal/min) and cha cha (6.41 ± 2.1 kcal/min) were considered moderate activity according to CDC and ACSM guidelines. The energy expenditure of both swing dances (8.14 ± 2.5 and 7.92 ± 2.5 kcal/min) were considered vigorous activity by the same guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Ballroom dance is an acceptable form of exercise and can be used to reach recommended prescription guidelines for physical activity.