A Practice-Inspired Mindset for Researching the Psychophysiological and Medical Health Effects of Recreational Dance (Dance Sport)

Abstract

“Dance” has been associated with many psychophysiological and medical health effects. However, varying definitions of what constitute “dance” have led to a rather heterogenous body of evidence about such potential effects, leaving the picture piecemeal at best. It remains unclear what exact parameters may be driving positive effects. We believe that this heterogeneity of evidence is partly due to a lack of a clear definition of dance for such empirical purposes. A differentiation is needed between (a) the effects on the individual when the activity of “dancing” is enjoyed as a dancer within different dance domains (e.g., professional/”high-art” type of dance, erotic dance, religious dance, club dancing, Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), and what is commonly known as hobby, recreational or social dance), and (b) the effects on the individual within these different domains, as a dancer of the different dance styles (solo dance, partnering dance, group dance; and all the different styles within these). Another separate category of dance engagement is, not as a dancer, but as a spectator of all of the above. “Watching dance” as part of an audience has its own set of psychophysiological and neurocognitive effects on the individual, and depends on the context where dance is witnessed. With the help of dance professionals, we first outline some different dance domains and dance styles, and outline aspects that differentiate them, and that may, therefore, cause differential empirical findings when compared regardless (e.g., amount of interpersonal contact, physical exertion, context, cognitive demand, type of movements, complexity of technique and ratio of choreography/improvisation). Then, we outline commonalities between all dance styles. We identify six basic components that are part of any dance practice, as part of a continuum, and review and discuss available research for each of them concerning the possible health and wellbeing effects of each of these components, and how they may relate to the psychophysiological and health effects that are reported for “dancing”: (1) rhythm and music, (2) sociality, (3) technique and fitness, (4) connection and connectedness (self-intimation), (5) flow and mindfulness, (6) aesthetic emotions and imagination. Future research efforts might take into account the important differences between types of dance activities, as well as the six components, for a more targeted assessment of how “dancing” affects the human body.

Iranian classical dance as a subject for empirical research: An elusive genre

“…69,[139][140][141] In addition, the team has participated in three international scientific conferences with six contributions. These contributions have been scientific talks, [142][143][144] scientific posters, [145][146][147] and three public outreach events showcasing our dance-science collaboration with Iranian classical dance. [148][149][150] The filmmaker team members (Fahima Farahi, Sina H. 135 The video stimuli have been curated by our Iranian film team from 3fish (3fish.co), Susana Bravo Serra (www.missisbravofilms.com), and Stefan Redeker (Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt, Germany).…”

“…The top panel illustrates the ending position, while the bottom panel illustrates the movement transitions that lead to the ending position. (E) One frame of a stimulus showcasing the Delroba movement from the Iranian Classical Dance Movement Library 138 . Each of these videos contains several dance movements of the Iranian classical dance movement syllabus, even though such syllabus has never been officially defined.…”

“…In health psychology, the branch of psychology that studies the many physical and mental health effects of recreational dancing, many more dance styles are under investigation, and the results showcase important positive health outcomes (e.g., Refs. 127–130).…”

“…The team consists of scientists, dancers, and filmmakers. Eight empirical scientific articles 131–138 and seven theoretical articles or chapters (including this one) have since resulted from this project 69,139–141 . In addition, the team has participated in three international scientific conferences with six contributions.…”

“…In addition, the team has participated in three international scientific conferences with six contributions. These contributions have been scientific talks, 142–144 scientific posters, 145–147 and three public outreach events showcasing our dance‐science collaboration with Iranian classical dance 148–150 . The filmmaker team members (Fahima Farahi, Sina H. N. Yazdi, and Susana Bravo Serra) have curated five short films for dissemination purposes about different aspects and activities within our project (see Figure 5).…”