Dancing as an Alternative to the Traditional Exercising in Older Adults With Cardiac Diseases

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study (2017) 64 million people worldwide are living with Heart Failure (HF). Risk factors of HF include age, history of coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and low physical activity. There is clear evidence that regular physical activity can increase life expectancy and improve cognitive function, and delay functional disabilities associated with aging. Physical Activity and exercise training is considered as one of the components cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation program. There is a growing scientific support that cardiac rehabilitation (CR) slows, stabilizes or regresses cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition, it has been shown that CR programs significantly reduce re-hospitalisation and death from CVDs by up to 25%. Despite of strong evidence of the positive effects of exercise training in Chronic HF patients, the adherence to the exercise component of CR is still not at the level recommended by the international physical activity guidelines. Patients participating in physical activity programs are faced with several obstacles, such as orthopaedic limitations to exercise, or being severely overweight. Another most common barriers for participating in CR are family and employment obligation, psychological well-being and age ("CR is only for adults"). Participation of older adults in physical exercises programs is highly influenced by their personal interest in activity type, engagement and perceived advantages. The author is also mentioned that engaging in different types of activities or adding new elements to the traditional exercises may increase and maintain individuals' interest and engagement in physical activity. This will improve their commitment t the regular exercise and leading to improved health outcomes. World Health Organisation defines dance as a type of physical activity and recommends its implementation to develop physical skills, e