The Impact of Traditional Dance Intervention Programs on Health of Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults: A Literature Review

Abstract

Low levels of physical activity and exercise can have negative effects on both mental and physical health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Traditional dance is one of the most popular types of physical activity worldwide, offering many health benefits. This study aims to explore the impact of different traditional dance exercise programs on physical and mental health of children, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older healthy individuals. After searching three databases, 26 relevant studies were identified in healthy individuals (8 on children and adolescents, 4 on young and middle-aged individuals, and 14 on older individuals). The results showed that traditional dance programs improve balance, aerobic capacity, and muscle strength in all age groups. Additionally, children and teenagers showed lower anxiety and increased self-confidence. In young and middle-aged adults, there were also improvements in body composition and flexibility. Among older adults, better flexibility, improved quality of life, and enhanced cognitive function were reported following traditional dance programs. However, some studies showed inconsistent results regarding body composition, flexibility, and mental health. In conclusion, traditional dance exercise programs appear to be an effective way to improve both physical and mental health. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and provide more reliable conclusions.