Ballroom Dance

J M (Mike) Nelson
Email:jmnelson@cloudnet.com
Phone: 612-810-0157

Health Considerations for Ballroom Dance

We dance for pleasure, the joy of combining music we like with physical activity. The health benefits of dance are primarily emotional, and, though there are physiological benefits, these benefits can be gained by many activities, and, except for prescribed physical therapy, we select physical activities because of the joy they provide. Interestingly, dance can provide a wide range of physical activities ranging from the leisurely pace of golf to a workout comparable to that of a long distance runner. The health benefits of dance are certainly worth considering, but dancers dance for the joy of dancing.

Health care professionals tell us that people who laugh and smile a lot are healthier and live longer. Dancers laugh and smile a lot; even if Tango dancers are not smiling on the outside, they are smiling on the inside. Ballroom dance requires mental alertness - awareness of the music, the movement, the environment, nearby dancers, and, of course, our partner. These are all consistent with activities that help preserve mental and neurological health.

Dancing burns calories, and the calories burned are proportional to the amount of work done. When we walk, run, or dance, we move our weight up and down as we progress; we move a weight over a distance, the physicist's definition of work. Of particular value to the dancer is that the cumulative calories expended is just as important as the duration and intensity of exercise, particularly as we grow older. Too often people think they must exercise for at least 30 minutes and at 70 percent capacity (maximum heart rate) or more, but all exercise (calorie burning) is important, whatever the time involved and how hard it is done. Thus dancing, even at intermittent intervals, burn calories.

Data from research on running and walking indicates that each step requires a slightly different amount of calories depending on a person's weight: approximately 0.03 calories per step for 125 pounds, 0.04 calories per step for 150 pounds, 0.05 calories per step for 175 pounds, and 0.06 calories per step for 200 pounds. These data enable us to approximate the number of calories burned per minute according to tempo and dance style.

Calories Per Minute by Style and Weight

Cardiopulmonary Benefits of Dance. The caloric consequences of dancing are relatively constant. Benefits to heart and lungs will vary depending on the general condition of the dancer. Dancers who are otherwise physically active will likely gain little from dancing; dancers who are not otherwise active will likely not dance often enough or intensely enough to realize significant cardiopulmonary benefit. Only the individual and their personal physician or trainer can determine the cardiopulmonary consequences of dancing. Even so, for most, there will be no harm, and likely some benefits.

Caloric Implications for the Social Dancer. Using the above chart, one can determine the caloric expenditure of an evening of dance. The following chart, ordered by increasing calorie cost, shows the calories burned in an hour of continuous dancing. It also shows the approximate equivalent in miles per hour and minutes per mile of walking or jogging.

Calories Per Hour of Continuous Dancing

The Unhealthy Side of Dance

As beneficial as dance might be, there is a dark side. The close contact with numerous dance partners can expose us to numerous irritants and pathogens, and the sound levels associated with dance can cause cumulative and irreversible hearing damage. Like any other physical activity, dance can also lead to strains, sprains, and bruises as well as the occasional fall. Even so, most of the health threats of dance are easily ameliorated.

In general, dancing is comparable to walking; if you can walk, you can dance. Even so, anyone in doubt regarding their ability to perform the physical maneuvers associated with dance should consult with their physician or a licensed exercise physiologist. The latter might also recommend supplemental exercises specifically directed toward preventing or reducing pain and injury potential associated with dance. For some, a combination of dance and exercise can help maintain physiological capabilities.

Because dancers touch each other regularly, irritants and pathogens are easily spread among dancers. Fortunately, there are several measures that minimize exposure to discomfort and disease. Shower or bathe, and put on clean clothes before going dancing. Do not use cologne or perfume; these can cause allergic reactions, and they are more likely to offend than they are to gratify. Do not go dancing if you have a communicable infection. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer occasionally during a dance, and always before handling food. Keep you fingers out of your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you must rub your eye, pick your nose, or lick your finger, sanitize before and after.

In our culture, the quality of entertainment seems somewhat proportional to the noise level; all other things being equal, the louder the better. Thus, for most dances, hearing is threatened, even by the relatively quiet atmosphere of variety ballroom dances. However, we need not sacrifice our hearing to the joys of dancing. We can have it both ways; the primary issue is whether to act individually or collectively.

Dance clubs, organizations, and sponsors can have a direct effect on the hearing health of their constituents. If the music is kept at a reasonable level, everyone will be able to hear, and no one will have either immediate or cumulative hearing damage. Furthermore, it does not require sophisticated equipment to do so. Conditions associated with conversation are adequate for assessing the audio health of a dance. The following guidelines can be used to ascertain whether or not the sound level is excessive.

Above 80 dB, people have to speak very loudly.
Between 85 and 90 dB, people have to shout.
Above 95 dB, people have to speak near the ear to converse.

Unlike entertainment employees and patrons, industrial employees and plant visitors are legally protected from excessive noise. Detection of sound above 80 dBA requires regular noise monitoring. At 85 dBA, hearing protection must be offered. At 90 dBA, hearing protection is required. If your dance host does not provide a healthy sound environment, you need either to find another venue or take independent action. Fortunately, there are some actions that you can take to preserve your hearing while enjoying the dance.

Musician's Ear Plugs can provide an excellent defense against excessive sound levels. Available from most hearing aid vendors, these custom molded ear plugs are comfortable, and they attenuate sound while maintaining sound quality. They cost about $125 per pair, and they are a good investment for anyone who attends any noisy venue, whether it be a dance, a concert, or a sporting event. They are also useful in planes, trains, and automobiles. On road trips, they can eliminate road noise, and you can turn up the radio so that you can hear it without discomfort. The generic ETY•Plugs™ from Etymotic (ER•20 High Fidelity Earplugs, $15 to $25 a pair) attenuate sound and provide good intelligibility, but they aren't as comfortable as the molded plug, and they are more visible. The inexpensive ear plugs available at sporting goods stores are adequate for protection, but they inhibit conversation, and music tends to sound muffled. Interestingly, in preparing this article, I discovered that most musicians use ear plugs so that they can satisfy their audience without destroying their own hearing.

Conclusions and Recommendations. Check with your physician, get some musicians ear plugs, and dance.