02 Mar Dancing For Better Cardiovascular Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Dafna Mermon
Dafna Merom, PhD
School of Science and Health
University of Western Sydney
Penrith New South Wales Australia
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Merom: It is well established that moderate-intensity physical activity can reduced the risk of having cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet we know very little about the CVD benefits that is associated with specific activity type. Considering that different types of physical activity challenge muscular-skeletal, neurological and cardio-respiratory systems differently, and that they involves different levels of psychosocial or cognitive demands, one may expect that different types of PA/sport may have differential relationships with health. Previous research found that frequent dancing protected against dementia, to a larger extent than walking. Since cardiovascular disease and dementia share similar risk factors we hypothesised that dancing will also protect against CVD, even more than walking given the multi-dimensional nature of dance; Dance integrate physical, cognitive, emotional and social elements in its execution.
We found that light-intensity dancing as well as light-intensity walking were not protective against cardiovascular disease mortality. However, dancers who were at least slightly out of breath or sweaty had 46% lower risk of Cardiovascular death. Compared to fast walkers, dancing further reduced the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 21%.”
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Merom: It is well established that moderate-intensity physical activity can reduced the risk of having cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet we know very little about the CVD benefits that is associated with specific activity type. Considering that different types of physical activity challenge muscular-skeletal, neurological and cardio-respiratory systems differently, and that they involves different levels of psychosocial or cognitive demands, one may expect that different types of PA/sport may have differential relationships with health. Previous research found that frequent dancing protected against dementia, to a larger . extent than walking. Since CVD and dementia share similar risk factors we hypothesised that dancing will also protect against CVD, even more than walking given the multi-dimensional nature of dance; Dance integrate physical, cognitive, emotional and social elements in its execution.
We found that light-intensity dancing as well as light-intensity walking were not protective against CVD mortality. However, dancers who were at least slightly out of breath or sweaty had 46% lower risk of Cardiovascular death. Compared to fast walkers, dancing further reduced the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 21%.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Merom: First it will be good to repeat such analysis from cohorts in other counties in particular to examine outcome such as first event of coronary heart disease, or stroke. This will strengthen the finding of a single report. Second, I would recommend to epidemiologists who have cohort data and measures of physical activity including the specific type of activity to further explore whether activity mattered beyond its contribution to the total amount. It will also enriched our understanding about possible mechanism.
Medical Research: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Merom: Yes, more research is needed about the benefits of a specific sport to healthy aging. Some sports will be optimal for balance training, other will be optimal for the heart, so clinicians and health promotors could be more specific in their recommendations by tailoring the activity to the individual’s main deficiencies.
Citation:
Dancing Participation and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
Merom, Dafna et al.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.004
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Dafna Merom, PhD (2016). Dancing For Better Cardiovascular Health
Last Updated on March 2, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD