: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary dance class for improving physical function in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. : Eighteen individuals participated in a 12-week dance class alongside 11 matriculated college students registered in an integrative dance course. Lower extremity strength, flexibility, mobility and balance testing was measured at pre- and post- testing. The dance class comprised 60 min of dance training two times per week. College students participated by dancing alongside the individuals in the class and assisting, if required. : Significant improvements were found in lower extremity strength in all muscle groups tested, hamstring flexibility, generalized mobility and stability. : Integrative contemporary dance may provide meaningful physical improvements for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and are in need of further development and research.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2018.1537295 | DOI Listing |
Nutrients
December 2024
Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Background/objectives: Dancers require adequate nutrition support for growth and development during the pre-professional stage, as well as to fuel classes and rehearsals and to enhance performance for both pre-professional and professional dancers. The aim of this study is to understand the energy status and diet of pre-professional and professional dancers in the genres of ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and opera.
Methods: Electronic databases ( = 9) and grey literature were searched for primary studies with no time limit.
J Dance Med Sci
December 2024
Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
As demanding as dancing en pointe is, no universal standard exists to determine when a ballet dancer is ready to advance to this next level. The goal of this study was to provide preliminarily tested and reliable guidelines for a screening tool that can be used to determine (1) if a dancer is ready for pointe, (2) reasons why a dancer may not be ready, and (3) areas for improvement to guide training and preparation. Seventeen dancers aged 9 to 17 years with a minimum 4 years of ballet and who were either possibly ready for pointe or had been in pointe class less than 3 months participated in this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIRx Med
December 2024
Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: Dance has emerged as a complementary treatment that may promote adaptive neural plasticity while improving symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD), such as balance, gait, posture, and walking. Understanding brain changes that arise from participation in dance interventions is important as these neural plastic changes play an important role in protecting and healing the brain. Although dance has been shown to improve PD motor and nonmotor symptoms, the neural mechanisms underlying these changes, specifically depression and mood, remain elusive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
December 2024
School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland.
Introduction: Loneliness and physical inactivity are issues that affect both young people and older adults. This can have negative health outcomes and well as high costs on health services. Physical activity can positively influence both physical and psychosocial health outcomes, however enjoyment is necessary for adherence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Bodyw Mov Ther
October 2024
School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-30118, Halmstad, Sweden. Electronic address:
Introduction: Research has described improved health for persons with Parkinson's Disease (PD) who participate in dance classes. However, few studies focus on how relatives experience their life together with a partner who has PD and how the impact of Dance for Parkinson's Disease (DfPD) influences everyday life.
Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and describe the impact of DfPD on subjective experiences of well-being and functioning in daily living as experienced by dancers and their relatives.
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