THE RESEARCH:
Dr Kathrin Rehfeld of
Magdeburg University in Germany has published research results that explain WHY
dance is the best activity for keeping us young. Her 18-month study of a cohort
of 68-year-olds compared effects of strenuous exercise routines for volunteers with effects of dance routines for others. I tried to find a
picture of Kathrin Rehfeld: google turned up pictures of elderly people dancing,
and a message: “Teen brains found in elderly dancers” which is not at all my
objective. I hated being a teenager!
Both groups of volunteers –
runners and dancers - improved their physical endurance and suppleness; and
both showed an increase in the hippocamp region of the brain.
The first research result appears
to be: dance improves your balance. Run on roads or run on the treadmill (which
was originally invented in 19th century England as a punishment
for convicts and paupers, if I remember correctly) and you will keep fit and
reduce your heart-rate ….. but if you dance, you get the same physical
benefits PLUS better balance.
Another benefit of the dance
routines was mental. Dr Rehfeld observes: “We taught different dance routines
every week, in order to keep the volunteers in a state of apprenticeship. The
most difficult part for them was to remember the routines, once the instructor
stopped calling out instructions.” Huh! Scottish dancers remember the formations after a briefing.
The dancers were also kinder
and friendlier people, developed stronger toe-nails and their hair started to
curl …. No, here I am joking. But it is
apparent that the combination of dance movement and music provides stimulus to
the brain and neurosystem, improving “holistic harmony” if that means
anything? Best are Scottish dances, with their familiar formations constantly repeated in different and challenging
combinations. I am also a Bavarian Schuplattl dancer, which requires energy,
balance and suppleness (I must tell Kathrin Rehfeld). But Scottish dancing is
mentally more stimulating .... and the music is better.
THE CONCLUSION
The Magdeburg research
results (which I here summarize in brutally unscientific form) prove what has already
been shown in earlier studies, in New Zealand, UK and USA: that dance is beneficial
for young and old alike, maintaining physical fitness, improving balance and keeping our brains active. Even if you not want to have the brain of a teenager, dancing will keep your brain spritely and dynamic, with good balance, friendship, music, joy and laughter.
DanceFitandHealthyAt70 is a reality! All my happy dancing friends prove it .... and so do I.
No comments:
Post a Comment