Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
As we grow older we suffer a decline in mental and physical fitness, which can be made worse by conditions like Alzheimer's disease. A new study, published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience , shows that older people who routinely partake in physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain, and dancing has the most profound effect.
"Exercise has the beneficial effect of slowing down or even counteracting age-related decline in mental and physical capacity," says Dr Kathrin Rehfeld, lead author of the study, based at the German center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany. "In this study, we show that two different types of physical exercise (dancing and endurance training) both increase the area of the brain that declines with age. In comparison, it was only dancing that led to noticeable behavioral changes in terms of improved balance."
Elderly volunteers, with an average age of 68, were recruited to the study and assigned either an eighteen-month weekly course of learning dance routines, or endurance and flexibility training. Both groups showed an increase in the hippocampus region of the brain. This is important because this area can be prone to age-related decline and is affected by diseases like Alzheimer's. It also plays a key role in memory and learning, as well as keeping one's balance.
While previous research has shown that physical exercise can combat age-related brain decline, it is not known if one type of exercise can be better than another. To assess this, the exercise routines given to the volunteers differed. The traditional fitness training program conducted mainly repetitive exercises, such as cycling or Nordic walking, but the dance group were challenged with something new each week.
Dr Rehfeld explains, "We tried to provide our seniors in the dance group with constantly changing dance routines of different genres (Jazz, Square, Latin-American and Line Dance). Steps, arm-patterns, formations, speed and rhythms were changed every second week to keep them in a constant learning process. The most challenging aspect for them was to recall the routines under the pressure of time and without any cues from the instructor."
These extra challenges are thought to account for the noticeable difference in balance displayed by those participants in dancing group. Dr Rehfeld and her colleagues are building on this research to trial new fitness programs that have the potential of maximizing anti-aging effects on the brain.
"Right now, we are evaluating a new system called "Jymmin" (jamming and gymnastic). This is a sensor-based system which generates sounds (melodies, rhythm) based on physical activity . We know that dementia patients react strongly when listening to music. We want to combine the promising aspects of physical activity and active music making in a feasibility study with dementia patients."
Dr Rehfeld concludes with advice that could get us up out of our seats and dancing to our favorite beat.
"I believe that everybody would like to live an independent and healthy life, for as long as possible. Physical activity is one of the lifestyle factors that can contribute to this, counteracting several risk factors and slowing down age-related decline. I think dancing is a powerful tool to set new challenges for body and mind, especially in older age."
This study falls into a broader collection of research investigating the cognitive and neural effects of physical and cognitive activity across the lifespan .
More information: Kathrin Rehfeld et al, Dancing or Fitness Sport? The Effects of Two Training Programs on Hippocampal Plasticity and Balance Abilities in Healthy Seniors, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2017). DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00305
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All I can say is that we should all be doing this:
not a dancer, though i do NJOY a Good Mosh Pit thrashing now and then,
but, i'm not sure concussions the best mental health prescription, but i prescribe em n e way
That's my man _ Billie Idol! I am a strong fan! I wanted to do "White Wedding" but "Rebel Yell" is kicking my head in!
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (Official Music Video)
Oh my, I am going to be 'wormed' by this all night!
Buzz! Here enjoy!
You do know what that song is about, don't you?
Doing what? (That's a youtube.)
I can understand why dancing is superior to just walking, because you also have to think about what you're doing, and keep proper timing to the music.
My parents were great dancers - all the Latin American dances. They won prizes, and as long as my father lived his mind was sharp as a tack. As my mother survived him and no longer had him as a dance partner she did eventually become senile.
Here Buzz, just for you:
Wow! That was SOME video. Thanks.
Any kind of exercise has benefirts-- as long as you're moving.
But in addition to physical health (and slowing the aging process) there's research that shows there's a definite correlation between moving a lot and keeping your mind sharp.
And-- its fun!
(Buzz: its Footloose 1984 Final Dance)
(Saturday Night Fever -You Should Be D)
Dirty Dancing - Time pf My Life
"I've Had The Time of My Life" - That's a really good one.
Maeva & William - Boogie Woogie
Rockabilly
(I've posted some of these videos before...)
West Coast Swing - Yhe Incomparable Jason Colacino and katie Boyle
Swing Time - Rogers and Astaire
Here's Swingtime but set to different music: Mick Muster Playing "Boogie Woogie Country Girl"
Singing in the Rain - Gene Kelly
Thanks Krishna! What a clean production of this. I do not know what I love most, the 'big kid splashing' or the director's smart decision to drop the patrolman into the ending! This is 'life' and dance at its best. BRAVO! I feel as though I just spent a little time in Hollywood "heaven" all over again!
I try to get through a B-52 song at least once a week: it is great for the heart muscle! Try it - see how far you get along. CAUTION: BUILD up slowly.
B52s Planet Claire FULL HQ Restored best version!!
This beat will drive up your front and down your back, your own body will 'unearth.' WoW!
What the heck I can't leave it alone: A treat! If you can 'hang' out to the middle of this one - you will lose control. Wicked! Great cardio!
Rock Lobster
I still have tha B-52 Album! Here's Love Shack:
Bang! Bang! Baby that's where its at! The Love Shack.
Buzz! Enjoy: ROCK LOBSTER
Buzz! I can't find PLANET CLAIRE there. But this is a 'goody' - PRIVATE IDAHO - Good cardio!
One thing I'll always remember from that album was the phrase:
You're living in your own private Idaho!
I watched Planet Claire on Bilibili. Rock Lobster is pretty entertaining - one heck of an editing job. Have to tell you, though, B 52 is not really my kind of music.
That's okay! I love it from 'way back then.' However, it is a way now to get the blood going as my mind lights up and all my 'burners' turn on! The changes of tempo give a great workout!
Also, there is plenty music to go around. As I am sure you know! (Smile.)
Ottawan was a pop music duo, who had the hit singles " D.I.S.C.O. " and " Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) " in the early 1980s. " Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) " is a 1981 song by Ottawan . It was the band's second-biggest international hit single, after their 1979 hit " D.I.S.C.O. ".
The French version ("Haut Les Mains") was the unofficial theme song of The Club meds in the western hemisphere for a few years.
Several times a day guests would go to the beach (or the pool) and sing it in French) with the hand gestures, Sometime it happened spontaneously after meals..or . . . "whenever".
"Hands Up" really captured the spirit of the Club Meds-- some nonsense-- and a lot of wild freewheeling fun!:
Hands up
Simon didn't say to put your hands up.
Oingo Boingo - On the Outside
Nothing bad ever happens to me - Oingo Boingo
Psy - Gangnam Style
(For quite a while this video was #1 for number of views on YouTube.
Gangnam Style was probably the first K-Pop dance video most Americans saw. But it wasn't typical-- usually these are girl groups or boy groups,
Here's ,more K-PoP:
Girl Generation "Gee"
One more K-Pop-- this one tells a story, jealousy and revenge!.(I liked the texting they do-- its in Korean!):
AOA Cream, Jelly Baby:
Flashdance - Final Dance ("What a Feelin")
The Twist (performed by Chubby Checker)
Dance Me to the End of Love (Leonard Cohen)
The Anniversary Waltz (sung by Al Jolson)
This has got to be the greatest dance song in recent years
Shut Up And Dance - Walk The Moon
Hit Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter
Conga - Gloria Estafan and The Miami Sound Machine
All Night Long - Lionel Ritchie
Natives are great dancers. We are taught from an early age to dance and as an expression of our culture.
There are many dances, the Fancy Dance, Jingle Dance, Smoke Dance, Shawl Dance, Grass Dance.
Indians of all ages ''keep on dancing''...It's what we are.
This is a world class ''Jingle Dance'' competition.
A world class ''Fancy Dance''.....The regalia is as important as the dance itself.
If you can't feel the heartbeat of Mother Nature - you're missing something in yourself.
Generations of white people have line danced to this one
Electric Boogie (aka Electric Slide) - Marcia Griffiths
I love this one! This is good.
Hmmm have an aging brain or look like a wounded flailing duck. Tough choice
I saw a great sign in a little shop. It said:
Ok people. All of this dancing and no Queen(s)...