|
Line-dance classes are helping a Griffith
University student from the School of Physiotherapy and
Exercise Science in her quest to stamp out osteoporosis.
Masters student Cath Young, who worked as a physiotherapist for
20 years before undertaking her studies at Griffith, has been
conducting a 12-month study involving 39 volunteer post-menopausal
women.
Ms Young said the philosophy behind choosing line-dancing was
because it appealed to many people and could be easily
incorporated into a community-based program.
"Weight-bearing exercise, like line-dancing, can stimulate
bone mass in healthy individuals who have adequate dietary calcium
and vitamin D," Ms Young said.
"However, it can be difficult for people with low bone
mass to do weight-bearing exercises safely, which is why
supervised dance classes work well. During menopause, loss of the
female hormone oestrogen causes the rate of bone density loss to
increase, which means hip fractures become more common. I believe
we can lower the risk of falls due to weak and shaky legs, and
possibly reduce the rate of bone loss in those with low bone
mass."
She said low bone mass combined with high falls risk increased
the chances of fracture.
As part of the study, the volunteers have been placed into
three separate groups. All participants are provided calcium
supplements and participate in the dance classes. One group also
does squats for leg strength, while another group does squats plus
a foot stomp exercise that could prevent further loss in bone
mass.
"One of the benefits of line-dancing is that it encourages
the movement of the hips, this is particularly helpful in guarding
against falls because it improves balance and hip muscle
control," Ms Young said.
Ms Young said falling directly onto the outside bone of the hip
increased by 30 times the risk of hip fracture.
"Many of my participants have no previous line-dance
experience," she said. "The degree of difficulty of the
classes has been slowly progressed as their ability
improves."
Many of the volunteers selected have low broadband ultrasound
attenuation, meaning they were at risk of fracture. Now in its
fifth month, Ms Young will evaluate results after the volunteers
completed the full 12-month program.
The volunteers meet once per week to line dance at the
Southport Community Centre.
Summary A
simple, appealing, physical activity program can be prescribed
to reduce the risk of falls in sedentary, postmenopausal,
independent-living, Caucasian women. Foot stamping,
progressively loaded squats, and in-line dancing positively
influence proximal femoral bone mineral density, lower
extremity strength, and static and dynamic balance.
Introduction
Foot stamping, squats exercises, and in-line dancing together
create a suitable activity program for sedentary,
independent-living older women.
Methods Forty-five
postmenopausal women not taking medications for bone health
were randomly assigned to one of three groups. All groups
attended one line dance class per week. Two groups
additionally performed progressively loaded squats five times
per week. One group also performed four foot stamps, twice
daily, five times per week. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA),
proximal femur (PF) and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density
(BMD), squats number, and balance variables were measured.
Results There
were no differences within or between groups in baseline and
follow-up BUA, PF or LS BMD; however, a strong stamp
compliance effect was apparent for BUA (r = 0.73)
and PF BMD (r = 0.79). Number of squats
(p < 0.01) and single leg stance time
(p < 0.01) increased, while timed up and go
time decreased (p < 0.01) for all participants.
Conclusions Line
dancing, particularly in concert with regular squats and foot
stamping, is a simple and appealing strategy that may be
employed to reduce lower extremity bone loss, and improve
lower limb muscle strength and balance, in independent living,
otherwise healthy, postmenopausal Caucasian women.
|