DEVELOPMENT OF MUSCULAR EXPLOSIVE FORCE IN OLDER WOMEN: INFLUENCE OF A DANCE-BASED EXERCISE ROUTINE

Introduction: Human muscle strength and the ability to develop explosive force or power are known to decrease with increasing age. Numerous exercise programs are recommended to oppose this age-related force deterioration. Dancebased exercises have been proposed for older people because they are safe and more likely to optimize adherence to a more active lifestyle. Physical and psychological benefits of a dance-based exercise routine have been reported. However, there have been no reports of the effect of dance-based exercise routines on the ability to develop explosive force. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare the ability to develop explosive force between older women between older women who participate in a dance-based exercise program compared to older women who do not. Methods: Twenty active (i.e., participant in dance-based exercise program for at least six months) and 20 sedentary older women were assessed for explosive force through contractile rate of torque development (RTD) (slope of force-time curve) and contractile impulse (CI) (time-integrated force) for the first second (0-250, 0-500, 0-750 and 0-1000ms) of the contraction of the dominant knee extensor of each subject. Results: The older women engaged in a dance-based exercise program demonstrated greater values of explosive force (P < 0.05) than the sedentary older women. Conclusions: It appears that a dance-based exercise program can have a positive effect on the ability to develop explosive muscular force in older women.