Online Dance Classes Boost Balance and Strength in Women Over 65, Study Shows

Falls are a leading source of injury for older adults, yet only a small fraction of Canadian women over 65 engage in daily physical activity. To address this, a team from Concordia University designed a remote ballet-modern class delivered via Zoom, featuring warm-up, pliés, tendus, balancé steps and modern-dance sequences that emphasize weight transfer and core engagement. Over 12 weeks, participants attended two 75-minute sessions per one outlet, with a helper monitoring safety.

Measurements taken at the start, halfway point, and conclusion revealed a noticeable drop in side-to-side sway after six weeks and continued improvements in dynamic balance and calf-muscle endurance by week twelve. The findings suggest that virtual dance can provide an enjoyable, accessible means to enhance balance and reduce fall risk, especially for those in remote areas or with mobility constraints. Ongoing work is exploring varied dance styles and combined blood-flow restriction training to broaden benefits for older adults worldwide.