Heart Rate and Oxygen Consumption of Middle Aged People during the Performance of Greek Traditional Dances

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the heart rate and oxygen consumption of middle aged men and women during the performance of Greek traditional dances. Eight males (age: 46.5 ± 4.4 yrs., VO2max: 38.3 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min, HRmax: 183.4 ± 10.3 b/min) and eight females (age: 45.1 ± 3.4 yrs., VO2max: 32.5 ± 4.7 ml/kg/min, HRmax: 181 ± 7.3 b/min), who have been dancing for the last 5 years, performed in random order 24 traditional dances from eight regions of Greece. Heart rate was measured continuously (Polar Electro, Finland) and oxygen consumption (Oxycon Champion, Μinjnhardt, Netherlands) immediately after each dance. The analysis of the data revealed great variations between the dances in oxygen consumption (from 10.6 ± 2.3 up to 26.1 ± 4.1 ml/kg/min) and heart rate (from 100.9 ± 12.1 up to 157.3 ± 14.6 b/min) with no differences observed between men and women. Based on oxygen consumption and heart rate the dances were classified as low (30-43% of VO2max and 55-63% of HRmax, n=7), moderate (46-59% of VO2max and 64-69% of HRmax, n=9) and high (61-75% of VO2max and 74-86% of HRmax, n=8) intensity dances. It appears that some Greek traditional dances, except the pleasance, the amusement and the education they offer, they also affect the oxygen transport system and could be
used as another form of aerobic exercise, since their intensity is within the ranges suggested for aerobic training.