Maximal oxygen intake and body composition of female dancers

Summary Complete paucity of any data regarding the influence of habitual dance on cardiovascular-pulmonary fitness and body composition of female dancers prompted this study in which 12 female dancers and 12 sedentary female students of the same age range participated as subjects. Maximal oxygen intake was determined on the treadmill, body composition was calculated from skinfolds and vital signs were determined besides measurements of height and weight.Dancers had significantly lower weight, lower resting heart rate, and lower diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure was also lower in dancers but the difference between the means did not reach statistical significance. Maximal oxygen intake was higher in dancers when expressed in relative terms. Dancers had also significantly lower total body fat.In conclusion, it seems that, dance with all the variations, should be encouraged in schools as a suitable behavioral modifier of sedentary habits and for maintenance of physical fitness and ideal weight.