Background:The nature and duration traditional Bharatanatyam training bring about a wholesome physiological improvement in terms of balance,flexibility,stamina,and respiratory efficiency.Aerobic fitness is essential i...Background:The nature and duration traditional Bharatanatyam training bring about a wholesome physiological improvement in terms of balance,flexibility,stamina,and respiratory efficiency.Aerobic fitness is essential in sustaining endurance exercise,like a long dance performance,as it keeps the muscle fatigue away for longer.Regular practice improves the aerobic metabolic pathway of dancers,which is characterized by increased oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal in the muscles.The current study sought to assess the aerobic fitness and cardiovascular endurance of Bharatanatyam dancers compared to non-dancers.Methods:The study population included 30 females in the age group of 16-25 years,including 15 dancers(Group I)and 15 non-dancers(Groups II).Their VO 2max,or peak oxygen consumption,was assessed using the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test,a sub-maximal step test.The two groups were compared based on demographics,BMI,VO 2max,pre and post-test heart rate.Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.All test results were two-tailed,and a probability value(P-value)less than 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.Results:The analysis revealed that Bharatanatyam dancers had a significantly lower BMI(P-value=0.002),post-test heart rate(P-value=0.01),and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate(P-value=0.019);and higher VO 2max(P-value=0.000)when compared to the control group.There was a significant association between the practice of Bharatanatyam and VO 2max(Fisher exact test;P-value=0.000).Within the Group I(dancers;n=15),there was a significant inverse correlation between BMI and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.546,P-value=0.001),post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.461,P-value=0.01);and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.412,P-value=0.02).Finally,there was a mild positive correlation between practice days/week and VO 2max,although not statistically significant(r s=0.3841,P-value=0.157).Conclusion:The overall higher level of aerobic capacity of dancers when compared to non-dancers can be attributed to the way Bharatanatyam training is traditionally designed with graded training protocols and gradually increasing intensities of performance pieces;as well as the individual's initial fitness level and the frequency,intensity and duration of the training.Thus,we conclude that Bharatanatyam has the framework necessary for improving various aspects of the dancer's health.展开更多
文摘Background:The nature and duration traditional Bharatanatyam training bring about a wholesome physiological improvement in terms of balance,flexibility,stamina,and respiratory efficiency.Aerobic fitness is essential in sustaining endurance exercise,like a long dance performance,as it keeps the muscle fatigue away for longer.Regular practice improves the aerobic metabolic pathway of dancers,which is characterized by increased oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal in the muscles.The current study sought to assess the aerobic fitness and cardiovascular endurance of Bharatanatyam dancers compared to non-dancers.Methods:The study population included 30 females in the age group of 16-25 years,including 15 dancers(Group I)and 15 non-dancers(Groups II).Their VO 2max,or peak oxygen consumption,was assessed using the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test,a sub-maximal step test.The two groups were compared based on demographics,BMI,VO 2max,pre and post-test heart rate.Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.All test results were two-tailed,and a probability value(P-value)less than 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.Results:The analysis revealed that Bharatanatyam dancers had a significantly lower BMI(P-value=0.002),post-test heart rate(P-value=0.01),and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate(P-value=0.019);and higher VO 2max(P-value=0.000)when compared to the control group.There was a significant association between the practice of Bharatanatyam and VO 2max(Fisher exact test;P-value=0.000).Within the Group I(dancers;n=15),there was a significant inverse correlation between BMI and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.546,P-value=0.001),post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.461,P-value=0.01);and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.412,P-value=0.02).Finally,there was a mild positive correlation between practice days/week and VO 2max,although not statistically significant(r s=0.3841,P-value=0.157).Conclusion:The overall higher level of aerobic capacity of dancers when compared to non-dancers can be attributed to the way Bharatanatyam training is traditionally designed with graded training protocols and gradually increasing intensities of performance pieces;as well as the individual's initial fitness level and the frequency,intensity and duration of the training.Thus,we conclude that Bharatanatyam has the framework necessary for improving various aspects of the dancer's health.
