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Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

journals.plos.org

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Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#81

Post by corpMaverick »

networkimprov wrote: post #52

I've been a dancer for 30 years, of many forms. The best way I can describe dancing to non-practitioners is that it's like playing a silent, wearable musical instrument that demands attention from your entire body. It is not like playing a sport, except perhaps if you do it competitively :-)

Thanks for the analogy. I feel that dance would be a great form of exercise for my kids(6m and 4f). Additionally gaining a lot of body awareness that can be useful through many areas in life. But I don't like how much emphasis is there on pointe (in ballet). It seems counter productive.

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#82

Post by [deleted] »

networkimprov wrote: post #68
ninjaturtlez wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you seriously not think that playing a sport requires control of your entire body? Have you ever tried to actively improve at a sport? Everything from basketball to golf is fine muscle control from the lowest to highest levels. Some people cant see their own bias I guess. :)

it == dancing && it != sport dancing.entails(entire_body) sport.entails(entire_body) Clearer now?

[deleted]

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#83

Post by analbumcover »

mancerayder wrote: post #74

Is a complex, full-body coordinated accelerated movement like an olympic clean ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_and_jerk ) considered 'repetitive physical exercise'? People see a barbell and they think bodybuilding, but there's a minority of weightlifting that involves a degree of complexity that's qualitatively in a different league than, say, bicep curls. I'm curious how it pans out.

Snatches and clean and jerks are certainly more technically involved than any movement you'd see in bodybuilding or powerlifting. You train fewer motor patterns with much higher frequency than other strength sports. It lacks the variation in movement that you'd see in bodybuilding, let alone dance. It's also very rigid, there's no creative element to it. I'd hazard a guess that it's more similar, in terms of brain plasticity, to strength sports than dance.

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#84

Post by mikepurvis »

tjoff wrote: post #69
networkimprov wrote: post #52

I've been a dancer for 30 years, of many forms. The best way I can describe dancing to non-practitioners is that it's like playing a silent, wearable musical instrument that demands attention from your entire body. It is not like playing a sport, except perhaps if you do it competitively :-)

So, you need to be a competitive dancer then? ;) To get that good you need discipline and dance for years (or just be a natural), so don't seem that far fetched to be at a similar difficulty level as sports in this regard.

You can be a competent partner/social dancer (swing, salsa, tango, waltz) in a few months of weekly instruction and practice (eg, attending dances).

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#86

Post by topkai22 »

The key here is "repetitive". It sounds like the repetitive exercise was the exact same cardio + weights routine every day, excluding any coordinative active, while the dance routines were explicitly varied and sound far more interactive.

I don't know enough about the underlying science to really understand the paper at a glance, but it's not surprising that learning a new skill provides beneficial effects. A neat follow up would be to look at what learning a musical instrument with a lower physical fitness requirement than dance does is relationship to a dance routine. Or even something like birding, that requires a moderate amount of walking with increased skills observing the physical environment.

I think this probably (with low confidence, because of the low N and a high dropout rate) answers the question "is dance better for neuroplasticity than walking on a treadmill and stationary bike + repetitive and uncoordinated floor exercises" with a yes, but I'll bet plenty of other activities surpass the repetitive control group as well.

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#87

Post by burntoutfire »

sandworm101 wrote: post #49
burntoutfire wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sound like soccer and other teams sports are also perfect. Sucks that I'm terrible at pretty much all of them...

If we are looking at brain effects, the advantages must outweigh the risk of brain injury inherent to the activity. Playing football might help brain plasticity but at considerable risk of brain injuries. Most all the team sports (soccer, lacrosse, hockey etc) have varying degrees of associated brain injury risks, but not dance or other non-competitive sports. At lease when dance (or rock climbing) is competitive the…

There's always volleyball, where competitors don't share the playing space.

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#89

Post by WalterBright »

mikepurvis wrote: post #84
tjoff wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, you need to be a competitive dancer then? ;) To get that good you need discipline and dance for years (or just be a natural), so don't seem that far fetched to be at a similar difficulty level as sports in this regard.

You can be a competent partner/social dancer (swing, salsa, tango, waltz) in a few months of weekly instruction and practice (eg, attending dances).

It's too bad most people who try partner dancing don't stick it out long enough to break through the awkward stage to where it gets to be a lot of fun.

Re: Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018)

#90

Post by ak39 »

Dancing isn't easy for folks who are rhythm-challenged like me.

Try the Jerusamela on for size. Warning: make sure the vase, and precious items in the living room are packed away before you practise.

Some attempts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePuGjRRin3c

Official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZVL_8D048

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