Can Salsa Dance Solve 'Activity Gap' in Elderly Latinos?

The question about the elderly Latinos who have lost their capability of great mobility and facing great disability risks being able to dance their way to a better health may be well answered by a researcher of the University of Illinois in Chicago, U.S.A. David Xavier Marquez is conducting dance experiments with elderly Latinos hoping they will adopt this pleasurable physical activity and become healthier by dancing Salsa.

The assistant professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition convinced thirteen Latinos – all 55 years or older and having done no remarkable physical exercise for the past year – to attend a Salsa Dance course for the duration of twelve weeks. They are learning Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cha Cha Cha. Marquez said, "It's a culturally appropriate physical activity for Latinos," He continues, "Many grew up dancing at family gatherings and other celebrations. But many don't have the opportunity to do it now."

David Marquez is nearly at the end of his pilot study, which involves volunteers having qualifications and living in the  South Chicago/East Side/Hegewisch/South Deering neighborhoods. These areas have a Latino population of  about 35 percent. Walking in the midst of these communities an be dangerous for the elderly, especially during winter time. Marquez managed to attract 45 persons willing to participate, but the conditions of his pilot study – being elderly people with limited mobility and who are not so much active – made him choose only thirteen persons. There are twelve women and only one man.

In the following clip, and 87 year old woman is doing a Salsa Dance performance.

BAILAMOS

The president and CEO of the Dance Academy of Salsa based in Humboldt Park, Miguel Mendez, suggested the dances which are used in the single hour dance sessions done twice a week. Mendez has 18 years of teaching experience. Marquez and Mendez came up with a manual of 45 pages in which all the steps for each of of the four dances are explained. The program BAILAMOS (“We Dance”) is also an acronym for "Balance and Activity in Latinos, Addressing Mobility in Older adultS." Participants were tested in physical activity levels, cognitive ability, gait speed, strength, endurance and balance. Marquez says he is quite impressed with some findings, even if all the data have yet to be compiled and analyzed. He says, "Most probably don't care if their fitness level changes, but hope it helps in their daily activities," he said. "They don't get tired as quickly, they do more and feel better -- physically and psychologically. Some say they feel better about themselves, and that they can now accomplish more." Marquez hopes he will get funding to conduct a larger project after he debriefs the participants and their instructor when he concludes the experiment.

Markus thinks that the results of his study on dancing as a form of exercise for the elderly can be applied to other elderly populations ass well, regardless of their region or ethnicity. This method may prove to be a way to improve their health. He also plans to study if dance can reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent obesity & diabetes. Marquez concludes, "Dance works all over for health. There's nothing specific to the biology or physiology of Latinos that would make it only work for them."