Physical Effort during Dance Training

Abstract

This study compared the physical effort imposed on teachers and students during dance training sessions as well as on the students when they were teaching as a part of their education. Eleven dance teachers (mean age: 39 ± 7 years) and 11 dance students (mean age: 24 ± 2 years) participated. Before the study maximal heart rate was measured in a maximal cycle ergometer test and maximal oxygen uptake (V˚O₂ max) was estimated from the heart rate during a submaximal test with correction for the individual maximal heart rate. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration, and fluid loss were measured during the dance training sessions. Effort during sessions was expressed as the percentage of the individual maximal heart rate. V˚O₂ max was not significantly different between teachers and students. During training as well as teaching the average HR was approximately 70% of maximal and did not differ between training students, teachers, and students as teachers. It may be questioned whether these findings and the amount of teaching hours (25 to 29 hours per week) can explain why most dance teachers leave the profession before official retirement age.