Dance is superior to repetitive physical exercise for brain plasticity (2018) • Hacker News Board

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

#91

Post by roywiggins » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:51 PM UTC

WalterBright wrote: post #89

mikepurvis wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I think that's true for most hobbies, though. It's easy to bounce off anything that takes a bit of skill, because it can be a fairly large time commitment for an unknown payoff.

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

#92

Post by corpMaverick » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:51 PM UTC

skookum wrote: post #5

If the postulated basis is correct and acts on a continuum, it wouldn't be a huge leap to think that doing physically challenging outdoor sports that require a high degree of reaction to constantly-changing surroundings would be even better than dancing. Sounds like a case for skiing, mountain biking, climbing, surfing, whitewater kayaking, etc.

For what is worth. Boxing (without actually being hit) and climbing is practiced as therapy for Parkinson's patients. Probably because they require a lot emphasis on coordination and body awareness in general.

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

#93

Post by smabie » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:51 PM UTC

ByThyGrace wrote: post #15

> An extensive pre/post-assessment was performed on the 38 participants (63–80 y) Mind the n = 38. People already taking the title at face value in this thread.

Sample size is pretty irrelevant on its own.

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

#94

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:53 PM UTC

cooliosis wrote: post #67

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. :)

I think it's easier to be less aware of your entire body while practicing for other sports. As someone who plays basketball and tennis, it takes a lot of focus to pay attention to my whole body for an entire practice session (vs. just a single part that I'm trying to improve). Most of the time, if I don't explicitly try to pay attention, I just use muscle memory and try to get into "the zone". In tennis for example,…

[deleted]

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

#95

Post by CalChris » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:57 PM UTC

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 :-)

Dance certainly helped my basketball (when I played) but basketball did not help my dance.

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

#96

Post by ak39 » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:57 PM UTC

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 :-)

This is a profound comment. Thank you.

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

#97

Post by klipt » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:58 PM UTC

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).

I think followers can learn a lot faster because they're exposed to new moves all the time from leaders.

For leaders to build up a good vocabulary of moves requires a lot more than weekly practice though.

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

#98

Post by johnchristopher » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:58 PM UTC

ak39 wrote: post #90

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

I know it's off-topic but Tik-tok is really refreshing as a social network/entertainment thing to me. Lots of honest (even though the app encourages use of video effects) stuff on it, especially if you upvote things from time to time. User-generated content but haven't yet seen facebook outrage porn or twitter feud war ; lots of good vibe.

edit: my feed is filled with people with goth make up mimicking lyrics or movie dialogues, skate boarding tricks, contemporary dancers and weird jokers.

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

#99

Post by werber » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 7:59 PM UTC

This makes me wonder about getting “lost in the music” type dancing on your own where you connect your physical movement and it becomes intuitive. I’ve done lots of club kid to slam dancing on my own and formal dancing and the headspace is so different but the former was always more intellectually satisfying and aerobic for me

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

#100

Post by haram_masala » Sat, Jul 25, 2020, 8:01 PM UTC

johnchristopher wrote: post #98

ak39 wrote: post #90

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

I know it's off-topic but Tik-tok is really refreshing as a social network/entertainment thing to me. Lots of honest (even though the app encourages use of video effects) stuff on it, especially if you upvote things from time to time. User-generated content but haven't yet seen facebook outrage porn or twitter feud war ; lots of good vibe. edit: my feed is filled with people with goth make up mimicking lyrics or movi…

And all data funneled to the CCP.