Exploring the health benefits of Argentine tango dance: A small-scale action-research study of adults over 40 years old.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of regular practice of "Argentine Tango" in individuals with at least 1 year of experience, analyzing anthropometric outcomes, functional capacity, hemodynamic parameters, quality-of-life, sleep of quality, and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

The sample included practitioners of "Argentine Tango" at the chosen dance space, of both sex, and over 40 years of age. An initial anamnesis was conducted, and anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and heart rate were collected, as well as functional fitness variables. The WHOQOL-breef, Pittsburg, and PHQ-9 questionnaires were administered. Data collection occurred in initial assessment (T1) and 16th (T2) and 32nd (T3) weeks.

RESULTS

No differences were found in anthropometric measurements, and in quality-of-life, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms over the 32 weeks. However, participants showed significant improvements in functional capacity, especially in the "1-min sit-up" (T1-T2, p = 0.0081; and T1-T3, p = 0.0005) and the "6-min step" tests (T1-T3, p = 0.0435). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (T1-T3, p = 0.0019).

CONCLUSIONS

In adults over 40 years old, regular practice of "Argentine Tango" has been shown to be effective in maintaining anthropometric outcomes, quality-of-life, depressive symptoms, and sleep of quality, as well as promoting improvements in functional fitness outcomes and reducing systolic blood pressure.