Social ballroom dancing can improve cognitive functions and reduce brain atrophy in older adults who are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
That's the key finding of my team's recently published study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.Jan 3, 2023.
Many studies have demonstrated that dance provides individuals suffering with dementia a practical mechanism to form relationships using movement as the medium of interaction while obtaining both physiological and psychological benefits from dance participation (Low et al..
The authors concluded that social dancing may be a safe, enjoyable, and effective alternative to traditional physical exercise for preventing cognitive decline and reducing risk for Alzheimer's disease..
Other studies show that dance helps reduce stress, increases levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin, and helps develop new neural connections, especially in regions involved in executive function, long-term memory, and spatial recognition..
Facts About Alzheimer's Disease
Scientists have found that the areas of the brain that control memory and skills such as planning and organizing improve with exercise.
Dance has the added dimensions of rhythm, balance, music, and a social setting that enhances the benefits of simple movement – and can be fun.
It could protect you from heart disease
Dancers were found to have a 46 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular death, compared with those who rarely or never danced.
The study also suggested the social side of dancing, and the relaxation that comes with it, could be partly responsible for its health benefits..
Dancing with Dementia classes offer a chance for participants to experience creative movement and dance with their companions.
Classes focus on stimulation of the brain through movement, repetition, props and musical timelines..
Dance has also been used to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Whether you’ve danced all your life, are taking lessons, or are working on some steps of your own; as someone once said:
"We also understand that exercise and socialisation are great ways to reduce our risk of developing dementia, including:
For an extra challenge, try using small weights to build strength.
Keep a 2-pound or 5-pound weight in each hand while doing your dance routine.
For more ideas on strength exercises, visit the Exercise and Physical Activity page on the NIH website.
Dancing can improve your brain health.
Conditions that threaten cardiovascular disease—such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension—also increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The physical activity of dancing—along with a diet that limits sugar and saturated fats and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains—can lessen the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
More specifically, dancing produces challenges to the brain, including memory, coordination, attention, and cognition.
Recalling dance movements has been shown to stimulate several areas of the brain.
When neuron activity in the brain increases, it opens new pathways for thought and ideas.
According to Harvard Medical School, PET imaging has reveal.
Studies also link social connections with mental health as we age, including lowering the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (though experts aren’t certain about the reason for this link).
Since partner dancing in a room filled with other people is a great opportunity for social connection, it fills the human need for bonding with others.
In studies with.
Another positive aspect of dance is that because there are many dances to choose from and learn, the brain is challenged and stimulated to learn new things.
Some proponents of dance suggest learning specific dances based upon their complexity such as the fox trot, waltz, and swing dancing.
The idea is to require the brain to rewire itself and make .
Because of the benefits, doctors encouraged them to go dancing. "We need to keep moving, exercising; it helps the brain, it helps the balance, it also helps with memory to remember the dances," Ms Rumble said. "The different styles of tunes, the quicksteps, the foxtrots; they all keep you moving to a certain rhythm and that helps." .
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