EFFECT OF LOW-IMPACT AEROBIC DANCE ON THE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS OF ELDERLY WOMEN

To determine the effect of low-impact aerobic dance on sedentary elderly women (N = 53), functional fitness was measured by items from the proposed American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) fitness test for older adults. After 12-weeks of low-impact aerobic dance, the group improved significantly on all functional fitness components except motor control/coordination, including cardiorespiratory endurance, strength/endurance, body agility, flexibility, body fat, and balance. © 1990 The Gerontological Society of America.