Dance without even knowing how to dance. With proven health and longevity benefits, this activity changes the body, mind and life

A study suggests that dancing could be more beneficial to health than traditional physical activities. (Image: clone)

Everyone already knows that regular exercise makes life easier and longer, even those who cannot do it. What's new in the study published in the German journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience is that dancing may be more beneficial to health than traditional physical activities, such as cycling and walking.

According to research, in addition to all the benefits that traditional exercises bring to health, such as strengthening muscles and bones, improving immune and cognitive functions and maintaining motor skills, this practice also affects memory, which reduces the chance of developing dementia. An essential point in life, especially for people over 65: balance.

According to the World Health Organization, about 35% of people over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year, a percentage that rises to 42% for people over the age of 70.

However, this is just one of the attractions of replacing running shoes with sneakers (or bare feet) – which in itself is already an incentive. One of the most important of these, especially among more mature people, is the inclusiveness that the activity offers.

“Older people sometimes face barriers that may make it difficult for them to engage in regular physical exercise. These can be chronic diseases, sensory problems (impaired hearing and vision), cognitive problems, and loss of physical ability. “All of this contributes to reduced adherence and participation in the activity they We suggest it,” highlights Luca di Manzano Zaratini Gomez, MD and Supervisor of the Geriatrics Residency at Unifesp.

Here dance plays an important role. “Dance seems to be a very interesting alternative because it can be practiced by people with different physical and cognitive abilities,” assures the geriatrician.

Furthermore, Luca points out that social interaction and artistic expression can increase the motivation to stay active, as well as bringing a memory of emotional, psychological and physical well-being.

“The big challenge in aging is the ability to promote integration. Through dance, we can foster this sense of group and sharing. This is all also useful for protection against dementia, for example.”

Psychological aspects are other aspects that offer noticeable gains from activity. “We live in a very connected, fast-paced world. Having a moment like this is undoubtedly a protective factor for mood and anxiety issues.

And there's more. People who dance are more active and therefore end up getting sick less, and live longer and better.

This is demonstrated by Dance Movement Lessons, an awareness method created by Bettina Gilman. For six years, the dancer, movement researcher and body therapist has welcomed students aged from 20 to 93 on her courses.

“There, everyone can discover their dance, which is non-technical, and speaks about everyday movements, our gestures,” Bettina says.

The main difference between the method is the time the student has to get to know his body, which does not happen in traditional exercise.

“It's a time when you stop everything you're doing to experience different things in your body, different stimuli, at a different pace. And that really brings tremendous awareness, because it's not something we do on a daily basis.”