Medical
studies confirm Ballroom Dancing keeps you fit, alert and happy
CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 26 /PRNewswire/
-- Ballroom dance fans have always known that their favorite
activity is great for health and happiness. In the last few years,
many prominent medical research centers have announced clinical
studies highlighting the benefits of a regular program of ballroom
dance both for fitness and battling Alzheimer's.
"We see the benefits of ballroom
dancing in our studios every day, and we see it whenever our
students and teachers gather for dance parties and competitions.
Dancers are a lively and social group, excited about what they are
doing and enjoying each other's company," says Thomas D. Murdock,
Vice President, Marketing for Arthur Murray International. "They are
happy and they are having fun. It's a winning combination for
everyone."
Albert Einstein College of
Medicine in New York City studied 469 people over age 75 and found
that ballroom dancing was associated with a lowered risk of
dementia. The mentally challenging aspects of dancing -- following
complex dance steps, moving in time and staying with the rhythm of
music -- is believed to be responsible. The study was published in
the New England Journal of Medicine.
Studies on the benefits of
ballroom dance have also been conducted by California State
University at Long Beach, showing that even beginning students can
get their heart rates up to near-maximum training rates with a
five-minute warm-up and a 20-minute Cha Cha, Polka or Swing. Even
moderate ballroom dance burns between 250 - 300 calories per hour,
and vigorous dancing can burn as many as 400 calories per hour.
In addition, the Mayo Clinic
Health Letter encouraged readers to try ballroom dancing as a great
way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and help in
developing strong social ties, which contributes to self- esteem and
a positive outlook.
A visit to any Arthur Murray Dance
Studio offers further proof that all of these studies are right on
target -- although ballroom dancers have known this all along.
Students are happy, as this is the place they come to have fun, see
their friends, make new friends, and enjoy a respite from everyday
lives. At amateur and professional competitions, the same vision
presents itself -- people from all ages moving, dancing, and, above
all, smiling.
Arthur and Kathryn Murray are
perhaps the best example of this. They both continued dancing long
after retiring from active management of the organization and both
lived -- and danced -- well into their 90s. Many Arthur Murray Dance
Studio owners have seen age 65 come and go without thinking of
retiring or even slowing down.
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Medical
studies confirm Ballroom Dancing keeps you fit, alert and happy