Shall we dance?
@Auntylou (4264)
Oxford, England
April 11, 2016 4:05pm CST
Studies have showed that exercise helps us to stay young and strong but scientists at Magdeberg University in Germany wanted to know what type of exercise would be best.
Two groups of 20 pensioners embarked on a 6 month trial, one going to a dance class for 3 hours a week, the other set going to a gym for the same time.
The dancers improved much more than the gym bunnies and they liked the class so much that they insisted on carrying on when the study was over!
Dancing , it seems is more holistic and comprehensive, working more muscle systems . It also involves more input from nerves which has the effect of strengthening the muscle fibres which are attached to the nerves.
So if you want to stay fit and strong, get out your dancing shoes!
Good idea?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b076zf93/how-to-stay-young-episode-1
14 people like this
17 responses
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Apr 16
I can understand why it worked, my hubs and I however took a dance class and he has two left feet and no rhythm, it was a big fail for us lol
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
@Auntylou Yes that would work for me but him, not so much!!
1 person likes this
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
11 Apr 16
I wonder if there's also a bit of a social component to it, since a lot of people who go to the gym seem to work out alone rather than with another person.
Seems like a great option, and yet another reason I should quit dragging my feet and get my kid enrolled in classes. 
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
11 Apr 16
Yes, they said that the social aspect was important !
And the fact that dancing unlike repetitive exercise, involved the brain as well as the many different muscles and also helped with balance ,which is a major factor in falls in old age.
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
11 Apr 16
You are right,@yukimori, because in the video which unfortunately you won't be able to see, the old people on the exercise machines were not interacting with each other, though they were in a big group, while the dancers were clearly having fun
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Apr 16
It's a good idea. Gets your heart rate up and uses lots of different muscles = good workout.
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
17 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 Still you cycle loads so you are getting plenty of aerobic exercise
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Apr 16
@Auntylou - I used to, a lot, mostly to pick up girls. I really don't anymore, though.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I guess I have two left feet so I just go for walking hahaha! I see many ladies though enjoying the zumba early in the morning at the boulevard where I pass by after my 10-round walk at the ovals.
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
17 Apr 16
I am sure you are right, stress and worry are not good for our health
@cherriefic (10400)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I enjoy dancing so much. I guess that's why I can maintain my figure without dieting or doing the usual workouts.
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
14 Apr 16
I was just telling my husband about it a minute ago, after dancing to some music he was playing
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
Yes, could be the best exercise! So happy too when you do it with close friends!
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Apr 16
I am thinking that I may look for a class nearby and may even make more friends while there
and may even make more friends while there
