The Effects of the BAILAMOS^TM Dance Program on Physical Activity Levels and Cognition of Older Latino Adults: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of the BAILAMOSTM dance program on physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory, and cognitive health. Methods: A parallel, two-armed pilot study was conducted with 57 older Latinos randomized to the BAILAMOSTM dance program ( n = 28) or health education (HE) ( n = 29). We conducted two- and three-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. Results: BAILAMOSTM participants increased participation in leisure moderate-to-vigorous PA (LMVPA) ( F[1,53] = 3.17, p = .048, η2 G = .01) and performance in global cognition relative to HE participants ( F[1,52] = 4.19, p = .045, η2 G = .01). Attendance moderated increases in moderate PA, MVPA, LMVPA, and total PA ( p < .05). Participants of both groups with ≥75% attendance increased participation in PA. Among participants with <75% attendance, BAILAMOSTM participants increased PA relative to HE. Discussion: BAILAMOSTM positively impacted self-reported PA and global cognition in older Latinos. Even smaller doses of dance appear to impact self-reported PA levels.

Effectiveness of Theory-Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Interventions in Aging Latino Adults: A Scoping Review

“…Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of nine studies were included in this review, assessing the effect of seven interventions [ 9 , 15 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Figure 1 shows the flow chart of the study selection process.…”

“…All studies except one were conducted in the US; the Centre of Social Health Services for Older Adults (COASH) program was conducted in Mexico [ 34 ]. Five of the studies were randomized controlled trials (RCT) or cluster-RCT (Let’s Walk!, Worth the Walk, Community of Voices (COV), BAILAMOS TM , and BAILA) [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Three studies had a pre-post quasi-experimental design (COASH, Abuelas en Acción (AEA), and Healthy Living Wellness Program (HLWP)) [ 9 , 15 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…Three studies had a pre-post quasi-experimental design (COASH, Abuelas en Acción (AEA), and Healthy Living Wellness Program (HLWP)) [ 9 , 15 , 34 , 35 ]. Two were pilot studies (COASH and BAILAMOS TM ) [ 34 , 39 ], although the latter evolved and was scaled up to an RCT (BAILA) [ 40 ]. Only two studies (AEA and BAILAMOS TM ) [ 35 , 39 ] incorporated a mixed-methods approach to assess participants’ perceptions of the interventions.…”

“…Two were pilot studies (COASH and BAILAMOS TM ) [ 34 , 39 ], although the latter evolved and was scaled up to an RCT (BAILA) [ 40 ]. Only two studies (AEA and BAILAMOS TM ) [ 35 , 39 ] incorporated a mixed-methods approach to assess participants’ perceptions of the interventions. Four studies (AEA, Let’s Walk!, Worth the Walk, and BAILA) [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 40 ] included a maintenance or follow-up phase ranging from 2 to 20 months after the intervention had concluded.…”

Qualitative inquiry of a community dance program for older adults in Singapore

“…Dance coordinates the neurosensory and musculoskeletal systems to execute rhythmic movements (de Natale et al, 2017). A recent study on a 16 week BAILAMOS dance program in the United States reported the program's positive impact on the physical activity levels and cognition of older Latino adults (Balbim et al, 2022; Marquez et al, 2022). Dance improves the muscle strength and flexibility of the upper and lower limbs, as well as the coordination of movements (Douka et al, 2019).…”