Effects of regular dance practice in the functional capacity in women over 50 years old

Abstract

The aging process and associated factors are characterized by a decline at functional capacity. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of dance practice at functional capacity of women with 50 years and over. Participated 21 women, 61±7.12 years old, engaged on dance modality offered by the Physical Activity Program for Elderly from -UNESP – Rio Claro. The intervention took 4 months and the functional capacity was evaluated by means of the battery of motor tests of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The data were analyzed through the paired Student t Test, with p<0.05. Significant enhances were observed in resistance of muscular strength (30,14±3,49; 33,42±4,3 repetitions) and motor coordination (10,40±2,15; 9,75±1,68 seconds). We conclude that four months of dance practice improves significantly resistance of muscular strength and motor coordination and keeps the levels of the others components.