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Fitness, Dance, and Health

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Fitness, Dance, and Health Commentary Fitness, Dance, and Health Karen S. Clippinger, M.S.P.E. t first glance, past dance study cardiovascular fitness, but also in their to fitness: results have been somewhat implications for energy expenditure 1.A shift from emphasizing cardio- A disappointing from a cardio- and body composition. For example, respiratory fitness or athletic fitness respiratory fitness perspective. For an elite distance runner could readily toward health-related fitness; example, various studies have shown burn 600 kcal in an hour of running, 2.A shift in emphasis toward encour- that dance, or at least ballet and mod- resulting in approximately 6,000 kcal aging frequent more moderate exercise ern dance, only provide a moderate burned from 10 hours of running in with a greater variety of forms and stimulus for cardiovascular develop- a week. In contrast, an elite female formats; and ment. Although there appears to be ballet dancer is likely to burn only 3.A focus on encouraging involve- some variability between differing 200 kcal from a one hour advanced/ ment of more people in regular physi- dance styles and levels,1 studies have professional ballet class,3 resulting in cal activity, particularly groups that shown that professional and university approximately 2,000 versus 6,000 have been less responsive to the fitness ballet and modern female dancers kcal burned from 10 hours of train- movement — females, elderly, less af- ° generally have VO2 max values in the ing. Due to this contrasting energy fluent individuals, and non-Caucasian low to mid 40s (mean values of eight expenditure, it is easy to see why ethnic groups. key studies range from 41-53 ml⋅kg- many elite endurance athletes can 1⋅min-1)2-9 and elite male dancers have easily maintain very lean body com- Position Statement values in the upper 40s to upper 50s positions while still having relatively The Elementary School Physical (mean values in five key studies range large caloric intakes, while dancers Education position statement embod- from 48-59 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1).3-5,7,9 These sometimes resort to such unhealthful ies these three shifts in perspective and modest levels of aerobic fitness are habits as smoking, excessive intake of was selected for inclusion in this issue similar to what one would see with caffeine, inadequate caloric intake, or of the journal because of the number non-endurance athletes such as vol- binge dieting in an effort to achieve of children involved in dance. This leyball players and gymnasts and it a low body weight. Considering the position statement was developed by has been shown to be due to the stop common use of binge dieting, caloric Governor Pete Wilson’s Council on and start nature of dance which has restriction, and insufficient supple- Physical Fitness and Sports, which is relatively long rest periods between mental strength or aerobic training, it chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger. periods of activity. These dance val- is not surprising to find that although It was designed to foster awareness of ues are also markedly lower than one dancers are often quite low in total the benefits of physical activity and would see with endurance-trained body weight, some also tend to be to promote the frequent and regular athletes such as distance-runners or relatively low in lean body weight and participation of elementary school cross-country skiers10 where in the lat- higher than might be expected in body students in high quality physical edu- ° 2 11 ter, mean VO max values of 64 and fat while others are low in both body cation programs. It has been endorsed 83 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 have been measured fat and total body weight.12,13 by over 50 organizations including: for females and males, respectively. However, before dismissing the po- the American Academy of Family Considering the long hours of train- tential physiological benefits of dance, Physicians; American Medical Society ing within which the elite dancer is it is essential to reevaluate dance in for Sports Medicine; American Heart engaged, these results could seem light of the following recent shifts in Association, California; American discouraging not only in terms of our understanding and focus relative Preventive Care Association; and the 27 28 Journal of Dance Medicine & Science Volume 1, Number 1 1997 American Alliance for Health, Physi- due to their lower intensity or dis- Potential Implications for cal Education, Recreation and Dance. continuous nature. The International Dance This position statement clearly Consensus Conference on Physical emphasizes the potential health ben- Activity recently described “physical This Elementary School Physical efits of physical education programs activity” as any bodily movement Education Position Statement and including increased longevity, the produced by muscle that results in the reflected shifts in perspectives on reduced risk of cardiovascular dis- energy expenditure such as associ- fitness have many potential implica- ease, weight and body composition, ated with play, games, sports, work, tions for dance including: development of self-esteem, and the transportation, recreation, physical 1. Dance appears to provide one reduction of anxiety, stress, tension, education, or planned exercise.15 viable option for meeting the recom- and certain types of depression. Note Regarding the third focus of mended moderate physical activity that these potential benefits are pri- increasing regular participation in requirements. As previously stated, ° marily described using the verbiage physical activity, the recent Sur- studies of dancers reveal mean VO2 “physical activity” versus “aerobic ex- geon General’s Report on Physical max values similar to non-endurance ercise.” Although the widely accepted Activity and Health states that only athletes, which are higher than would exercise prescription recommended approximately 15% of U.S. adults be obtained in healthy sedentary pop- by the American College of Sports and 50% of U.S. young people (ages ulations of the same age and gender.9 Medicine of vigorous (60-90% of 12-21) engage regularly (defined as Applying American Heart Association maximum heart rate) aerobic exercise three times per week for at least 20 criteria, one study7 found 12 of their which is performed in a continuous minutes) in vigorous physical activ- 13 college level ballet dancers fell into manner for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 days ity.16 Approximately 22% of adults the “high” or “good” categories for car- a week14 is still valid and very effec- engage in regular sustained activity diorespiratory fitness. It appears that tive for developing and maintaining (five times per week for at least 30 dance is capable of applying a modest cardiorespiratory fitness, it appears minutes) of any intensity. With to moderate cardiovascular stimulus that many of the protective health youth, participation in all types of and this one study7 demonstrated a ° effects of exercise may also be derived physical activity declines strikingly as 20% increase in VO2 max in uni- from regular, less vigorous programs. age or grade in school increases and versity dance students participating in Even more at odds with original be- inactivity is higher among females 15-20 hours of dance per week after liefs is that some recent preliminary than males. This Elementary School their three years of study.9 studies suggest that this exercise does Physical Education Position State- Studies that have looked at quan- not have to be continuous and that ment addresses this issue by recom- tifying the actual cardiovascular dividing exercise into several 10 min- mending daily physical education stimulus associated with dance class ute sessions provides similar results, classes for children and adolescents have agreed that it is predominantly in terms of cardiovascular fitness, to which emphasize lifetime physical an intermittent type of exercise but one continuous 30 minute segment.15 activities. Implementing this recom- its specific characterization has varied This finding could allow individuals mendation could potentially have a between investigators, dance forms, who find it difficult to carve out one large impact both immediately and and dance levels. One early study 30 minute segment, to meet activity long term. First, since most children reported cardiovascular demands for goals by summing smaller segments attend school and about 60% are not center floor work of 56% and 46% ° of exercise performed at different currently vigorously active, a very of VO2 max for males and females, times of the day. In line with those large number of individuals could be respectively3 and another study found findings, there has been a trend, influenced. It is interesting to note dancers elevate their heart rate into a which is reflected in this position that the Bogalusa Heart Study found training zone (60-90% of maximum statement, to delete the use of “vigor- that although most activity occurred heart rate) 52% of the time during ous exercise” and emphasize an ad- after school, children who reported ballet class.9 The Bogalusa study lists ditional alternative of more frequent no physical activity education class dance in the low end of its “moderate or a longer duration of moderate during school had less physical activ- activity” classification and attributes it physical activity, (i.e., a minimum of ity overall.15 Furthermore, it appears with a 4.5 MET value. So, although 30 minutes of daily physical activity that regular participation in physical dance does not meet “vigorous” or which can be moderate in nature). activity as a child will also increase “continuous” activity requirements Some organizations have also in- the chances that the individual will previously recommended, it does cluded in their recommendations be active as an adult. Many experts in appear to meet “moderate” criteria. that this 30 minutes can be cumula- the area of exercise compliance sug- Further research is needed to address tive rather than continuous.
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