Citation

Kostić R, Uzunović S, Purenović-Ivanović T, Miletić Đ, Katsora G, Pantelić S, Milanović Z. Cent. Eur. J. Public Health 2015; 23(Suppl): S67-S73.

Affiliation

Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, National Institute of Public Health [Czech Republic], Publisher TIGIS)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26849547

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women.

METHODS: Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean±SD; body height=160.13±12.07 cm, body mass=63.81±10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean±SD; body height=160.63±6.22 cm, body mass=64.79±8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance.

RESULTS: The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial.

CONCLUSION: An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women.

Language: en