Improvements in Postural Stability, Dynamic Balance, and Strength Following 12 Weeks of Online Ballet-Modern Dance Classes for Older Women

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults and affect women at disproportionate rates. Dance has been used to improve postural stability, balance confidence and strength of older adults, but in-person classes are often inaccessible. This quasi-experimental pre-mid-post design study investigates whether 12 weeks of online dance classes can improve postural stability, dynamic balance and strength of women aged 65 plus. 16 participants (median=74 years, IQR=6) recruited via convenience sampling completed 12 weeks of twice weekly 75-minute online dance classes. In-person pre, mid and post assessments used 30-second trials of quiet standing, Star Excursion Balance Test, 30-second Sitto-Stand and Calf-Raise-Senior. Significance was evaluated using Friedman's test with Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test post-hoc (≤.05). Participants demonstrated a high attendance rate (median=87.5, IQR=4.2%). Decreased mediolateral sway was observed pre-mid in eyes closed (=.003, r=.76) and foam (.02, r=.60) conditions, where the latter also produced decreased sway area (=.015, r=.63). Greater dynamic balance was demonstrated when reaching laterally (pre-mid =.008, r=.68; pre-post =.008, r=.69) and posterior-laterally (pre-post =.009, r=.75). Participants significantly improved their number of repetitions on the Calf-Raise Senior (mid-post =.02, r=.60; prepost =.015, r=.63). Online dance classes are engaging, accessible and effective in decreasing older women's risk of falls and maintaining their independence.