Latest news with #AstonMcCullough
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Five surprising health benefits of dancing
A new study by Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, has found that just 20 minutes of dance each day could help you hit the recommended exercise target. The research, which involved 48 participants aged 18-83, looked at oxygen intake and heart rate measurements during five-minute bursts of dance, and it found that all adults were able to reach a health-enhancing level of activity. Participants were also told that it didn't matter which genre of dance they chose, the intensity level – or even the setting in which they did it. Rather, the point of the study was to see if there were easier ways to stay active. "Dance is a really accessible form of physical activity that people can do, even in their homes," Aston McCullough, from the university, said. "They just put on their own music and danced around." But beyond staying active, there are many other health benefits associated with dancing. We take a look at five of the top perks dancing around your kitchen can offer. A study of 48,000 British people found that moderate-intensity dancing is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Of the sample group, dancers had a 46% lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to those who rarely or never danced. Not only can dancing help you keep fit, it has a wide range of mental health benefits. If done in a social setting, dance can help improve connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. As dancing increases the levels of serotonin – or the "happy hormone" – it can also improve overall mood, lower stress levels and reduce anxiety. In addition to its mood-boosting effects, dancing can also promote learning, memory and navigational skills. One study suggested that a 30-minute salsa class boosted spatial working memory by 18% after just one session. Dancing has even been linked to a lower risk of dementia, with a 2003 research paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that regular dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76%. Other studies have also indicated that those already with dementia and Alzheimer's may benefit from dance, showing that regular exercise helps improve the quality of life of those with the disease. Dance has also been shown to have many benefits for those with Parkinson's. According to Parkinson's UK, not only can it help with posture, core strength and coordination, dancing can boost confidence, allowing those with the condition to move more freely and have a sense of freedom from their disorder. A 2024 study by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) also suggested that ballet dancing, specifically, can improve the symptoms of Parkinson's. Aleksandra Podlewska, one of the main researchers for PD-Ballet, said: "With conditions like Parkinson's, we currently don't have any pharmacological interventions to stop the progression. What we do know, however, and that's where it gets really exciting, is that Parkinson's progresses slower in people who do any type of exercise. And people who exercise more throughout their lifetime are less likely to develop Parkinson's." A scientific review published last year showed that not only is it easier to commit to a type of exercise you enjoy, dancing may be better for weight loss than other forms of exercise. Published in scientific journal PLOS One, the paper reviewed 10 studies and found that dancing improves body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and fat mass. It also burns a significant amount of calories while promoting muscle strength and growth. Read more about health What we know about Vitality's weight-loss jab scheme for workers (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) Dick Van Dyke shares one thing he does to stay fit at 99 (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read) What you need to know about menstrual cups, as doctors issue warning (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
Telegraph
16-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
A 20-minute dance a day will keep NHS doctors at bay, US study finds
Dancing in your kitchen for 20 minutes a day could be enough to help you hit NHS exercise targets. Doing a morning jig to the radio or boogeying to the evening playlist can be more active than previously thought and help people stay active, scientists have found. Current guidelines, including those of the NHS, suggest adults complete 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise per week. This is often cited as being in the gym, going for a jog or having a swim, but a study has found dancing is just as effective. However, research has found that following in singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor 's footsteps and emulating her popular Kitchen Disco show on BBC Radio Two that she began during the pandemic can help you hit those weekly targets. Scientists from Northeastern University, in Boston, Massachusetts, recruited 48 participants aged 18 to 83 years old with a range of rhythmic experience and asked them to take part in five-minute bouts of dancing. Oxygen intake and heart rate were measured to determine intensity of the exercise during the sessions and data show all participants reached at least a moderate physical activity level. The study was led by Dr Aston McCullough, from Northeastern, who said at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference: 'The main idea was to understand whether the intensity that people would receive from dancing freely on their own be enough to be a health-enhancing physical activity. 'And the answer was 'yes'. All adults were able to reach a health-enhancing level of activity without being told what intensity to dance at. 'They just put on their own music and danced around – and even when they didn't have music on they were still reaching that level. 'The main idea for us is that dance is a really accessible form of physical activity that people can do, even in their homes. 'Most people think of dance as something that is light and really easy, but really if you just tell someone to 'have a dance' they're going to get to that level of intensity that you would ask them to do if you were a personal trainer.' Dr McCullough said that dance can benefit health as it is a form of aerobic activity that can also include some body weight or resistance training. The study results have been published in the journal PLOS ONE.
