Health and Gait Outcomes in Elderly Dancers Compared to Inactive Adults

NCT07170241 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: SE RKEB: 135/2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this observational study is to assess functional fitness and spatial-temporal gait parameters in individuals aged 65 years and over who regularly participate in senior dance classes. These outcomes will be compared with those of two inactive control groups: aged-matched older adults and inactive middle-aged individuals (aged 25-40 years) who have not engaged in any structured physical activity in the past six months. Furthermore, our study aimed to assess the correlation between the duration of participation in senior dance and the measured variables including physical fitness, gait characteristics, and mental well-being.

Conditions

Functional Fitness Deterioration; Gait Balance

Keywords

senior dance; functional fitness; spatiotemporal gait parameters

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Functional mobility

  Functional mobility is measured with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. This test quantifies the time (in seconds) required for a participant to rise from a standard armchair with a seat height of approximately 46 cm and arm height of 65 cm, walk three meters to a cone, turn around, return to the chair, and sit down again. They are allowed to wear their usual footwear, use their usual walking aids, and use the chair arms for support when standing up. Physical assistance was not provided. After an initial familiarization trial, two successive test performances are recorded, and the mean value is used for analyses. If needed, a 30-second rest-period is allowed between trials.

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

• Spatial and temporal parameters of gait

  Spatial and temporal parameters of gait are assessed using a mobile gait analysis device (Kinesis Gait®)., This device utilizes non-invasive surface inertial sensors to collect movement data during walking tasks. The sensors are securely attached to the ventral surface of the lower leg at mid-height using Velcro straps, positioned at the midpoint of an imaginary line connecting the tibial tuberosity and the lateral malleolus. The data collected by the sensors is processed in real time by the device's integrated software, which generates the both visual and numerical representation of specific gait parameters. These results are compiled into a structured table for further analysis and interpretation.

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Body composition

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

• Grip-strength

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

• Functional lower limb muscle strength

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

• Lower body flexibility

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

• Upper-body flexibility

  At baseline (immediately after informed consent)

Study Arms (4)

Senior dancer

Participants aged 65 years or over who engage exclusively in senior dancing at least once a week for a minimum of three months

Senior dancer + other activities

Participants aged 65 years or over who participate in senior dancing as well as other forms of geriatric physical activity (for example Nordic walking, geriatric sports programs) in addition to senior dancing as regular activity.

Inactive elderly

Participants who (aged 65 years or over) who have not participated in any physical activity in the previous 6 months

Inactive middle-aged

Participants who (aged 25-40 years) who have not participated in any (structured) physical activity within the past 6 months

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

1. Senior dancers: individuals (aged 65 years or over) who respond to the study advertisement and have been regularly participating in senior dance classes at least once a week for a minimum of three consecutive months 2. Inactive individuals: older adults (aged 65 years or over; and 3. Middle-aged adults: (25-40 years) who have not participated in any physical activity in the past 6 months

You may qualify if:

• aged 25-40 years (for middle-aged group); aged 65 years or over (for older people group);
• participating in senior dance class at least once a week for at least three months (for dancing group); not participated in any physical activity in the previous 6 months
• being able to walk at least 6 meters

You may not qualify if:

• having neurological diseases (hemiplegia, Parkinson's disease, neuropathy affecting the lower limbs)
• using a walking aid
• suffering from injury affecting the lower limbs occurred in the past six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dr. Kovács Éva: lead

Study Sites (1)

Semmelweis University

Budapest, Hungary

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: college professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 5, 2025
• First Posted: September 12, 2025
• Study Start: September 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 22, 2026
• Study Completion: April 22, 2026
• Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

HU (1)