2017 Volume 62 Issue 4 Pages 449-454
The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of anti-aging by examining the influence of continuous rhythm dance activities on physical fitness characteristics of the elderly. This study included 22 female elderly (64〜79 years) belonging to hip hop dance unit. They are continuing to practice for about two hours once a week. We administered physical fitness tests comprising six exercises (sitting trunk flexion, grip strength, leg strength, standing stepping, zigzag walking on the stick, and whole body reaction time) to gauge the elderly’s physical fitness status. The tests were conducted in 2015 and 2016. The t-test showed a non-significant difference among the year in sitting trunk flexion, grip strength, leg strength, standing stepping, and zigzag walking on the stick. On the other hand, whole body reaction time was significantly higher in 2016 compared to 2015. The effect size was large (d=1.01). Analysis were suggested that the continuous rhythm dance activity of the elderly is an exercise contributing to maintenance and improvement of nervous system function in addition to muscle strength and flexibility. In other words, it was inferred that this activity is suitable as an anti-aging approach for elderly.
