Expository Article

Benefits & Risks of dancing

Elizabeth Magdalena Vazquez del Mercado Perez

Edgar Vargas Velázquez

Dance is a form of body expression accompanied by musical rhythms and in a way we can develop different abilities, it is an aerobic exercise that improve energy and lowered stress. Before this century people didn’t take care of their health, they didn’t notice unhealthy activities (Gary Varnecheutt), food and habits that change dramatically our lifestyle and health. However times have changed and we are living in the information age in which more and more people take care of their body and mind (Gary Varnecheutt).

Dance is an enjoyable activity promoting physical activity which many people worldwide incorporate into their lifestyles today. This physical activity appeals to some who may not be active and therefore may be another alternative of exercise. Dancing is a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits. You can dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own. Dancing has become such a popular way to be active and keep fit, that most fitness clubs now offer dance classes in their group exercise programs. Dancing can be done both competitively and socially. It can be a great recreational and sporting choice, because any one of any age can take part.

Dancing has a wide range of physical, and mental benefits, all areas of life. Physical improvements such as of your heart and lungs, increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness, increased aerobic fitness, improved muscle tone and strength, weight management.

On the other hand mental improvements such as improved balance and spatial awareness, increased physical confidence, improved mental functioning, improved general and psychological well being, greater self-confidence and self-esteem, and better social skills.

These benefits improve our daily lives and makes us feel better and with tons of energy to last longer.

“Dancing demands a lot of energy output because it involves movement in all directions,” (Nick Smeeton) a principal lecturer at the University of Brighton. As any other sport such as running, swimming and other propulsive forms of physical activity you must use rhythm and momentum to keep you moving, it is the same with dancing in which there is a lot of accelerating and decelerating in dancing, so the body is less able to do in an energy efficient way.

“Of course, the amount of energy you expend has a lot to do with how hard you’re pushing yourself.” (Elliot Carnegie). Like other forms of cardio exercise, dancing also seems to have mood and mind benefits. A 2007 study found that hip hop dancing (CCM) improved energy and lowered stress in ways similar to aerobic exercise. A more recent study, published earlier this year in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, linked dancing to improved “white matter” integrity in the brains of older adults.

Dance may look effortless, but it requires a lot of strength, flexibility and stamina. It come with a high risk of injures, incorrect techniques can cause them too, you should be aware of the most common dance injuries and learn how to avoid them.

A few studies found that injuries from using your joints and muscles too much are the most common in dancers. The majority of these overuse injuries involve an ankle, leg, foot or lower back. It is fundamental to warm-up, stretch and correcting the balance before star dancing.

To conclude we know that working out helps our health otherwise dancing is a entertraining activity that helps our body to stay in shape and our brain to maintain energy to last longer.

Dance is important for our day to day, both physically and mentally. It allows us to articulate the development of new capabilities and motor development. In addition, it is very important to consider that the dance favors the awareness of the body, its parts, its functions and its possibilities, which is an essential starting point for the consciousness of the human being in its complexity.

References

Nick Smeeton. (2018). Princess & Dance. March 27, de Princess & DanceSitioweb:https://saposyprincesas.elmundo.es/bienestar/salud-infantil/beneficios-baile-ninos/

Gary Varnecheutt. (2019). Dance & Health. March 27, de Varnercheutt Sitioweb:http://www.udance.es/bailar/por-que-es-tan-importante-el-baile-social/

CCM. (2015). Dancing is Good for Health March 27, de CCM Sitio web:https://salud.ccm.net/faq/3457-por-que-bailar-es-bueno-para-la-salud

Anonymous. (2018). The Power of Dancing. March 27, Sitio web:http://mariiangeela.blogspot.com/2017/01/texto-expositivo.htmla