Effect of Square Dance Interventions on Physical and Mental Health among Chinese Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Kai Ling Ou, Ming Yu Claudia Wong*, Pak Kwong Chung, Kei Yee Katie Chui

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    (1) Background: Square dancing is an emerging form of aerobic exercise in China, especially among middle-aged and older people. The benefits of square dancing have been investigated and promoted in recent years through research and interventions. Interventions have been conducted to promote the participants’ reactionary participation in physical activity, social and family cohesion, and other psychological benefits. Therefore, square dancing has been promoted as a major factor in China’s increase in physical activity prevalence. (2) Methods: A systematic review was used to identify studies that have indicated the effect of square dancing on the physical and mental health among Chinese older adults. (3) Results: Twenty-four studies examining the effects of square dancing on older Chinese adults were extracted. These studies were not found in English databases. The quality of the retrieved studies had a moderate-to-high risk of bias. Square dancing interventions were shown to result in effective mental, physical, and cognitive improvements in the systematic synthesis. (4) Conclusions: This study examined the effects of square dancing in China over the past 10 years on the physical and mental health of older adults. Based on the results of this study, recommendations can be made for future square dance interventions for older adults such as male-oriented, mixed-gender, or intergenerational programs.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number6181
    Number of pages16
    JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Volume19
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 19 May 2022

    Scopus Subject Areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
    • Pollution
    • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

    User-Defined Keywords

    • Chinese
    • older adults
    • physical activity
    • square dance
    • systematic review

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