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Introduction: Aging is characterized by reductions in lean mass simultaneously to increases in visceral adipose tissue, elevating cardiovascular risk (CVR) and physical dependence. Dancing has been recommended for improving fall-risk and CVR, however, comparisons with traditional exercises are limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of dancing with walking on CVR and functionality of older women., Methods: Thirty sedentary women (65 ± 5 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m 2 ) were randomized into three groups (n = 10/group): dancing, walking or stretching (active control). All interventions lasted 8 weeks (60 min sessions): dancing/walking 3×/week, stretching 1×/week. Dancing: several styles, no partner. Walking: treadmill, 60% peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak). Stretching: large muscle groups, no discomfort. Before and after interventions assessments: VO 2 peak (primary outcome), total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, glucose, insulin, CRP, TNF-α, waist and hip circumferences, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), muscle thickness, maximal muscle strength/power, static and dynamic balance, gait ability, flexibility, chair-raise and level of physical activity (PA)., Statistics: generalized estimating equations, post-hoc LSD (p < 0.05), SPSS 22.0., Results: (Mean-CI): (before vs after): group vs time interaction showed increases in VO 2 peak (mL·kg -1 ·min -1 ) for dancing 23.3 (20.8-25.8) vs 25.6 (23.4-27.8), and walking 23.4 (21.3-25.5) vs 27.0 (25.4-28.6), with no differences for stretching 23.5 (21.3-25.7) vs 23.0 (21.0-24.9). Lower body muscle power and static balance also improved for dancing and walking, but not for stretching. Main time effect showed improvements in CRP, TNF-α, LDL-C, HDL-C, VAT, waist, hip, chair raise, flexibility and level of daily PA for all groups., Conclusion: Dancing induced similar increases in VO 2 peak, lower body muscle power and static balance as walking, while the stretching group remained unchanged. Pooled effects showed improvements in body composition, lipid and inflammatory profile, which are supported by increased PA levels., Trial Registration: NCT03262714., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dancing has been increasingly used as a type of exercise intervention to improve cardiovascular fitness of older people. However, it is unclear which may be the exercise intensity of the dance sessions., Objective: To describe cardiorespiratory responses of a dance session for older women, and to identify intensity zones in relation to peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak), first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2)., Methods: Ten women (66 ± 5 yrs., BMI 27 ± 4) were examined on three occasions: Familiarization, maximum effort and dance sessions. Incremental treadmill test: 5 km/h, 2% slope each min, until maximum effort. Dance class (60 min): warm-up (20 min), across-the-floor (10 min), choreography (15 min), show (10 min) and cool-down (5 min). Ventilatory parameters were measured continuously (breath-by-breath)., Results: VO 2 (mL·kg -1 ·min -1 ): Maximum effort: VO 2 peak (23.3 ± 4.3), VT1 (17.2 ± 3.5) and VT2 (20.9 ± 3.4). Dancing: warm-up (12.8 ± 2.4, ~55%VO 2 peak), across-the-floor (14.2 ± 2.4 ~62%VO 2 peak), choreography (14.6 ± 3.2 ~63%VO 2 peak) and show (16.1 ± 3.3, ~69% VO 2 peak). Show was similar to VT1., Conclusions: Cardiorespiratory demands of a dance class for older women are at low aerobic intensity. Show was similar to VT1, indicating that a dance class may be modulated to improve aerobic fitness, at least at initial stages of training., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Exercising, including dancing, has been recommended to improve cardiovascular health of older people. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis verifying the effects of dance interventions on cardiovascular risk (CVR) in the elderly, comparing dancers to non-exercise controls and other types of exercise, in randomised (RCTs) and non-randomised control trials (nRCTs). Primary/Secondary outcomes: peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak)/anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI), and lipid profile., Methods: Data Sources: MEDLINE, Cochrane Wiley, Clinical Trials.gov, PEDRO and LILACS databases., Study Selection: RCTs and nRCTs comparing elderly before and after dance interventions with non-exercising controls and/or practitioners of other types of exercise. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies., Results: A total of 937 articles were retrieved, 64 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 7 articles met the inclusion criteria. Pooled mean differences between intervention and control were calculated by random-effects model. VO 2 peak improved in favour of dancers (3.4mLkg -1 min -1 , 95%CI: 1.08, 5.78, I2=71%), compared to non-exercise controls. No differences were found between dance and other exercises. Body weight and BMI were not altered by dance interventions., Conclusions: Dance interventions may increase VO 2 peak compared to non-exercising controls. Results also indicate it is as effective as other types of exercise in improving aerobic capacity of the elderly. Dancing might be a potential exercise intervention for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and consequent CVR associated with ageing. Proper reporting on adverse events is needed to base the benefits of dancing for the older on both efficacy and safety of the interventions., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)