Italian Folk Dance For Health

Although dance is considered a rhythmic aerobic activity contributing to improve overall physicalfitness, no study has quantified the intensity of folk dances (FD) workouts. Among Italian FD, Pizzicaand Tammurriata are very popular, and they are characterized by intense rhythm, with Pizzica beingmore intense than Tammurriata. PURPOSE: To determine activity intensity and session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE) of Pizzica and Tammurriata workouts. METHODS: Thirty-three young adults(age 27.7±5.5 years; weight 60.4±11.6 kg; height 1.7±0.1 m; BMI 22.0±3.0 kg/m2) gave their consent to participate in the study. To evaluate the intensity of 45-minute FD sessions, heart rate (HR) and sRPE on a CR10 scale were monitored in Pizzica and Tammuriata workout sessions randomly organized with at least one week in between. Percentages of age-predicted maximal HR (%HRmax)were used to classify the intensity of the activity in very light: <57%HRmax; light: 57-63%HRmax;moderate: 64-76%HRmax; vigorous: 77-95%HRmax; near maximal to maximal: ≥96%HRmax,according to the classes of intensity proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). RESULTS: ANOVA for repeated measures showed no difference between Pizzica and Tammurriata forboth HR and sRPE data. Significantly higher (p<0.0001) frequency of occurrence of %HRmax was observed for the very light intensity (Pizzica: 39.9±30.7%; Tammurriata: 33.3±23.6%) with respect to light (Pizzica: 16.0±9.7%; Tammurriata: 17.2±4.8%), moderate (Pizzica: 25.9±14.4%; Tammurriata:27.6±9.2%), vigorous (Pizzica: 20.2±19.4%; Tammurriata: 21.3±18.3%), and near maximal to maximal(Pizzica: 0.1±0.3%; Tammurriata: 0.4±1.6%) intensities. According to sRPE values (Pizzica: 1.8±1.8;Tammurriata 1.8±1.1) subjects perceived FD as easy. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that Pizzica and Tammurriata can be classified as very light according to ACSM guidelines. As dance is therapeutically used in improving motor function, body composition, social aspect and quality of life, FD might be an effective strategy to support social relations, participation in group-activities and to improve overall health-related physical parameters among frail populations.