benefits of hip hop dance essay

319 Dance Essay Topics & Research Questions on Hip Hop, Ballet, & More

Dancing is a universal form of expression and movement. It has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. From traditional cultural dances to contemporary urban dance styles, this art form transcends language barriers and brings people together.

But dancing is not just about entertainment. It is significant in various aspects of society, from its role in expressing emotions to its impact on mental health.

In this article, our expert team delves into the diverse world of dance. Below, you’ll find interesting dance topics to write about and explore the cultural, social, emotional, and physical dimensions of dance. Read till the end to find a writing guide with examples.

🔝 Top 10 Dance Essay Topics

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• Cultural significance of dance.
• Mental health benefits of dancing.
• Gender roles in dance.
• Dance as nonverbal communication.
• Technological innovations in dance.
• Social impact of dance activism.
• Dance education in schools.
• Emotional expression in dance.
• Dance and cultural identity.
• Politics of dance movements.

Why I Love Dance: Essay Prompt

Are you passionate about dance and want to write about it? Consider including the following points in your essay:

• Explain your deep-rooted passion for dance. Reflect on how dance has influenced your life, shaped your identity, and impacted your personal growth.
• Describe the specific styles or dance genres you are passionate about and explain why they hold a special place in your heart. Share experiences that have strengthened your love for dance, such as memorable performances, challenges , or inspirational moments.
• Discuss how dance has enriched your life and contributed to your overall well-being. Convey your dedication to dance and the importance of this art form in your life.

What Does Dance Mean to You: Essay Prompt

This essay is your chance to reflect on the place of dance in your life. Here are some ideas to include in your paper:

• Express your understanding and connection to dance. Describe what dance means to you on a deeply personal and emotional level. Share your unique perspective on the effects of dance on your life choices and identity.
• Discuss how dance has impacted your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Write about its contribution to your personal growth and development. Describe the emotions and sensations you experience while dancing and how they enrich your life. Discuss any memorable dance experiences, performances, or interactions with fellow dancers that impressed you.
• Depict your passion and appreciation for dance. Articulate the role of dancing in your life. Consider how dance has allowed you to express yourself , connect with others, and navigate life.

Hip Hop Essay Prompt

Are you a fan of hip-hop dance? Then you might enjoy writing an essay about it! Consider the points below to cover in your paper:

• Explore the art and culture of hip-hop. Discuss the origins and evolution of hip-hop dance, including its roots in African, Caribbean, and African-American dance traditions. Study the key elements of hip-hop dance, including its unique style, movement vocabulary, and musicality.
• Discuss the impact of hip-hop dance on popular culture , including its influence on music videos, films, fashion, and the entertainment industry. Analyze the social and cultural significance of hip-hop dance, including its role as a form of self-expression, community-building, and activism . Discuss the diversity and inclusion within hip-hop dance, including its ability to bring people of different backgrounds together.
• Describe any personal experiences or connections with hip-hop dance , and discuss how it has influenced your understanding of dance and culture. Convey your appreciation for hip-hop dance’s artistry, creativity, and cultural relevance. Provide insights into this dynamic and influential dance form.

Why Dance Is a Sport: Essay Prompt

There’s been a long-lasting debate about whether dance should be considered an art or a sport. You can present your opinion on this issue in your essay. Here is a prompt to guide you:

• Study the arguments on both sides of the debate and articulate your stance. Discuss the physical demands of dance, including athleticism, strength, and endurance. Compare them to the criteria used to define sports.
• Explore the competitive nature of dance , including competitions, rankings, and performance expectations . Discuss the training, dedication, and discipline required for dance and compare them to other recognized sports.
• Examine the artistic and creative elements of dance and how they may differentiate dance from traditional sports. Discuss any challenges or controversies surrounding the classification of dance as a sport. It might be the lack of standardized rules, funding, and recognition.
• Consider the cultural, historical, and societal factors influencing perceptions of dance as a sport. Present your argument supported by evidence and examples. Provide a nuanced perspective on this complex and debated topic.

Below, you’ll find plenty of ideas for a college essay about dance. Read on to find a suitable topic for your paper!

Modern Dance Essay: Topics

Modern dance significantly differs from traditional dance forms like ballet. Nowadays, dancers prioritize emotional expression instead of following rigid rules. Here are some interesting dance titles & ideas for your essay on modern styles:

• The diversity of contemporary dance styles.
• Psychological determinants of choosing a particular dance style.
• Creative Movement and Dance in My School .
• Sociopolitical concerns through the prism of dance.
• Modern dance as a form of protest against classical dance.
• Modern Black dance: race in motion.
• Significant people who contributed to the modernization of dance.
• Features of post-modern dance.
• Art Therapy: Creativity as a Critical Part of Art Therapy .
• The new American dance forms.
• Modern dance in the US vs. Europe: differences and similarities.
• Injuries in modern dance: career options for dancers.
• The concepts of modernity, race, and nation in the early modern dance forms.
• Oxygen uptake during a modern dance class.
• Physical Therapy Services for Sports Injuries .
• Socio-demographic correlates of modern dance genre preferences.
• Indian modern dance and feminism.
• Self-expression in modern dance.
• National and transnational modern dance.
• Principles of modern dance therapy.
• Regular engagement in modern dance and depression treatment .
• Modern dance pioneers who revolutionized this art: a case of Lester Horton.
• Incorporating Physical Activity into Lesson Plans .
• Mood changes of people attending dance classes.
• Modern dance classes: can one learn to dance online ?
• Evolving gay stereotypes in modern dance.
• Dance as a reflection of culture.
• Depression and Physical Exercise .
• German modern dance during the Nazi rule.
• Body image and modern dance engagement.
• Eating disorders in professional modern dancers.
• Significant elements of modern dance.
• Dance as a hobby and professional activity.
• Art Education, Its Role and Benefits .
• Examples of popular modern dance styles.
• Controversial dance practices.
• Is folk dance considered modern dance?
• Does modern dance come with serious choreography similar to classical dance?
• Class and ethnicity reflected in dance.
• Physical Activity and Sports Team Participation .
• Modern dance in France.
• The transformative power of flamenco dancing.

Dance Critique Essay: Topics

A dance critique essay requires you to evaluate carefully a particular dance performance or a specific aspect of this art form. Check out some dance titles for an essay to inspire your critical response :

• Degradation of dance quality in the 21st century.
• Passion versus physical characteristics in dance performance.
• Racism and gender discrimination at the dance competitions.
• Gender inequality in professional dance.
• Subway dance – a subculture or simply a weird place for practice?
• Dancing and Its Effects on Self-Esteem .
• How did industrialization contribute to the departure from classical dance?
• The rise of burlesque as a rebellion against ballet.
• The Role of Music and Movement in Education .
• The ideology and importance of radical dance.
• The Wigman technique of dance.
• José Limón’s contribution to contemporary dance.
• The place and influence of the American Dance Festival in modern American dance traditions.
• Art, Music, and Dance in Therapeutic Treatment .
• Combination of choreography and multimedia in Alwin Nikolais’s works.
• The flaws and loopholes of early modern dance.
• Popularization of African American dance across the world.
• Ballet elements in contemporary dance.
• The Importance of Arts in the School Curriculum .
• The contribution of Grete Wiesenthal to modern dance development.
• What place does concert dance occupy in the dance typology?
• Place of women in dance – now and then.
• Differences between modern and contemporary dance styles.
• Pole dance’s potential for inclusion in the Olympic Games list.

Dance Reflection Essay: Topic Ideas

Are you looking for thought-provoking dance topics to talk about in a reflection paper ? Check out the list below:

• What features and character traits should a good dance teacher possess?
• What does it mean to be a dance revolutionary?
• What did modern dance pioneers do to create new dance types?
• Should professional dance be taught in college?
• Sports Psychologist: Working With Athletes .
• The national dance of my country.
• My first experience in a dance class.
• My music preferences for dancing.
• Dances with Wolves Essay – Movie Analysis .
• Dancing as a personal form of relaxation and meditation.
• Why do some people prefer dancing alone at home and others need an audience?
• My favorite movie about dancing.
• Ballet as my passion and my greatest disappointment.
• My opinion of dancing as a profession.
• Music in the Service of Social Movements .
• Importance of dancing in my culture .
• What I think makes a good and bad dancer.
• My experience of participating in a dance contest.
• The role of dance in my family.
• My fascination with Indian dance.
• My dream is to become a hip-hop dancer.
• Benefits I see in regular dancing.
• The pros and cons of professional engagement in dance.

There are some controversial issues related to dance you can explore in your paper. Below, you’ll discover a list of dance topics to express your reasoned opinion about.

• Dance can be a tool for social change .
• How can culture be reflected through dance?
• Should College Athletes Be Paid?
• The impact of the environment on dance perception.
• The importance of dance styles and types for specific cultures.
• Dance as an intangible cultural heritage.
• Is dance a kind of sport?
• Sports-Related Problems and Conflicts .
• Why do people start to dance?
• Why is the audience attracted to dance performances?
• What is the motivation behind starting to dance at an early age?
• Why is contemporary dance more popular than classical dance today?
• The Cognitive Performance and Physical Activity Link .
• Are modern dance styles, like hip hop, easier than ballet dancing?
• Dance training is highly traumatic and shouldn’t be practiced at an early age.
• The risk of trauma and permanent injury among professional ballet dancers.
• Street dance is not serious dance.
• Exercise – The Mind and Body Connection .
• The impact of motivation and self-confidence on dance performance.
• Dancing positively affects the physical and cognitive health of aging adults.
• Dance is a tool against aging .
• Different dance styles and genres require different physical endurance and energy expenditure.
• Music Incorporation into Classes .
• Importance of choosing your dance style according to your BMI and bodily peculiarities.
• Partner dancing is healthier for motor control and coordination than solo dancing.
• Benefits of ballroom dancing.
• The economic effect of dance development.
• What is the hardest dance style?
• Cultural Appropriation in Music .
• Ghost dance as a religious movement.
• Electronic dance as a new subculture.
• Techniques of dancing to jazz music.
• Flamenco dance as a reflection of Spanish passion.
• Students’ Motivation and Satisfaction of Music Festival .
• Cultural significance of feminist dance films.
• The impact of proper nutrition on dance performance.
• The art of staging a dance performance.
• The social significance of street dance.
• Creative Art Therapy for Mental Illness .
• What does dance have to do with math?
• Belly dance as a recreational activity.
• Interpretative dance as a strong therapeutic tool.
• The use of dance therapy for individuals with Down syndrome .

Hip-hop dance is a popular street dance style that emerged in the second half of the 20th century. It encourages freedom of expression and is characterized by freestyle movements, particularly drops to the ground and sharp turns. If you seek to write a paper on hip-hop, here are catchy dance titles to inspire you:

• The role of dance in hip-hop culture.
• Chinese Hip Hop and Identity .
• Hip-hop dance and body power.
• Hip-hop as an African diaspora dance style.
• Meanings and messages in hip-hop dance.
• Genders, Sexuality, and Hip-Hop .
• Origins of hip-hop.
• Injury incidence in hip-hop training and performance.
• Commercialization of hip-hop dance.
• Core elements of hip-hop dancing.
• The Uprising of Hip-Hop: Music History .
• Hip-hop dance in modern ballet choreography.
• Low back pain in hip-hop dancers.
• B-boying in hip-hop.
• Motivations of hip-hop dancers for professional engagement with this dance style.
• The “breaks” concept in break dancing.
• The Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture .
• The roots of hip-hop choreography.
• Battling among hip-hop crews.
• Hip-hop scandals – sex and violence in hip-hop content.
• Theorizing hip-hop dance.
• Hip-Hop’s Response to Crime Analysis .
• Hip-hop dance consumption: who is the target audience?
• Globalization and hip-hop dancing.
• Principles of hip-hop dance codification.
• Hip-hop as a black social dance.
• Metaphors in hip-hop dance moves.
• Black feminism in hip-hop dance.
• Concepts of Elite Culture and Popular Culture .
• US Ebonics as the language of American hip-hop choreography.
• Extreme kinematics in hip-hop performances.
• What injuries are the most common among hip-hop dancers?
• Can hip-hop be a professional career?
• Basic rhythmic movements of hip-hop dance.
• Hip-hop practice’s impact on the dancer’s mood.
• Body poetics in hip-hop performances.
• Standards for judging hip-hop contests.
• Cultural Movement: Hip-Hop Related Films .
• Le hip hop – a French hip-hop subculture.
• The hip-hop culture in New York.
• Perceptions of race in the hip-hop community: white vs. black dancers.
• Hip-hop theater in London: a new level of dance style’s legitimization.

Do you want to learn more about dance? Then why not write a research paper on that? Below, you’ll discover a list of engaging dance topics to research.

• Novel approaches to dance: a blend with architecture at the Barnes Foundation’s exhibition.
• Dance from an anthropological perspective .
• Politics and poetics in dance.
• The biology of dance movements’ language.
• Teaching dance: should it be art or sport?
• Dance ethnology.
• Women in dance since antiquity : the images of sylphs and sirens.
• Philosophy of the dance: universal or nationally bound?
• What is a dance movement?
• Dancing and the brain.
• Psychology of dance.
• Dance as a mighty psychotherapeutic tool.
• Should national dance be included in the school curriculum?
• Living through psychological trauma in dance.
• The role of dance improvisations.
• Reform and revival of old dance styles.
• The role of space and subjectivity in dance.
• Shakespeare and the dance tradition of England.
• The social anthropology of dance performances.
• Theories and methodologies in dance research.
• A Eurocentric approach to the study of dance.
• Dance and the body.
• Dance as a method of self-study .
• Computer technology and dance.
• The evolution of Irish dance.
• The contribution of Merce Cunningham to modern dance.
• How does dance stimulate social fantasy?
• Partner dancing as a way to strengthen relationships in a couple .
• Verbal language of dancers and choreographers.
• The political side of national dancing.
• Dance and physics.
• The mind-body concept in dance.
• What can be regarded as contemporary dance?
• Dance imagery in various dance styles.
• What makes people dance? The philosophy of bodily movement.
• Dancing out one’s emotions: the dance of anger or happiness.
• The neural basis of human dance movements.
• Isadora Duncan’s revolutionary dance theory.
• The challenges of the interactive dance genre.
• Dance from the position of existential phenomenology.
• Dualism and body-soul separation: a dance perspective.
• Dance and embodiment.
• Dance and self: a philosophical perspective .
• Body as object vs. subject in dance.
• Freedom and intention in body movements during dance.
• Staged dance: the concept of created body.
• A tension between the personal and the universal in dance.
• Health benefits of recreational and professional dance.
• Japanese dance as an embodiment of culture.
• Turning body and identity into dance choreography.

The history of dance dates back millennia. So, there is so much to explore! Check out possible dance research project ideas for your history paper:

• Approaches to rethinking dance history.
• The elements of early European modern dance.
• Feminist perspectives on dance history.
• Dance at the dawn of history.
• History of somatic education and its relationship to dance.
• History of classic theatrical dancing.
• New media use in dance history reconstructions.
• The evolution of dance and sexuality relationship.
• Tools for capturing dance from the past.
• Dances in prehistory.
• Early records of dance performances in historical manuscripts.
• Ancient Greek dance traditions and forms.
• Dancing in Ancient Rome.
• Dance at court: the 16th-17th centuries in Europe.
• Evolution of dance from royal court to theater in the 18th century.
• The early dancing traditions in the 17th-century US.
• Dancing genres in Medieval Europe.
• The history of waltz: origin, evolution of dance elements, and traditions.
• How did the tango dance emerge?
• The emergence of belly dance.
• Flamenco dance history: a style born in Andalusia.
• Historical perspectives on dance research.
• The Ojibwa dance drum: history of the practice.
• Yoeme performs as a narrative of Yaqui history.
• The evolution of African American dance.
• The African roots of Latin American popular dance.
• Ethnographic elements of modern dance performances.
• The dance halls of Britain, 1918-1960.
• A historical overview of social dance.
• Global history of dance development.
• Dance in the French baroque opera.
• The history and meaning of tango dancing in Argentina.
• What materials to use when studying dance history?
• A cultural history of dance in the troubled areas: a case study of Palestine.
• The hidden history of capoeira: intersections of battle craft and dance.

Ballet is a highly formalized dance form with rigid rules and predefined positions. If you’re interested in this classical type of choreography, check out the dance research topics below:

• Is free dance a subtype of ballet?
• The evolution of ballet traditions by Isadora Duncan.
• Russo-American ballet at the start of the 20th century.
• Emerging American ballet: the 1930s onwards.
• Romantic and classical ballet traditions in the 19th century.
• Classical ballet in Russia.
• Classical ballet vs. modern dance: key similarities.
• Injuries in professional ballet.
• Static and functional balance in ballet dance.
• Ballet as a form of ethnic dance.
• The impact of ballet dance attire on female dancers’ self-perception.
• Endurance of pain among ballet dancers.
• The concept of the ideal ballet body.
• Methods of preventing hip and knee injuries in professional ballet.
• Physiological eligibility characteristics for classical ballet.
• Evolution of ballet dancer identity in the process of training.
• Incidence of sprained ankles in ballet dancers.
• Physiological responses to active ballet exercise among dancers of different ages.
• Importance of artistic performance ability in ballet dancers.
• Disordered eating patterns among ballet dancers.
• Management of stress fractures in ballet dancers.
• Ballet dancer career: an international perspective.
• Incidence of scoliosis in young ballet dancers.
• Travesty dancing in the 19th-century ballet tradition.
• Gender issues in ballet.
• The cultural power of ballet.
• Degenerative joint disease risks among female ballet trainees.
• Hip arthrosis as a long-term consequence of ballet training.
• History of the “Apollo’s Angels” ballet.
• Sleep quality in professional ballet dancers.
• Heteromasculinity images among male ballet dancers.
• Postural stability before and after a ballet injury.
• Dance classicism as an ideology.
• Royal Ballet’s dancers and body perception.
• How do professional ballet dancers perceive injury and aging?

Are you looking for research topics about dance in the form of questions? We’ve got you covered! Look through the list below to find good dance topics to research:

• How does dance education foster creativity in children ?
• How do feminists view belly dance?
• What is the impact of technology on dance performances?
• How to preserve indigenous peoples’ traditional dance forms?
• How have traditional gender roles been challenged through dance?
• What creative strategies do choreographers employ?
• What is the impact of dance on community building?
• What factors contribute to the commercialization of dance?
• How does dance function as a means of storytelling ?
• What is the link between dance and spirituality in different religions?
• What is the role of costumes and stage design in dance performances?
• What are the cognitive benefits of dance for older adults?
• How has ballet adapted to modern artistic movements?
• How has globalization affected the cross-cultural exchange of dance styles?
• What dance styles have been influenced by flamenco?

Do you need help writing an essay on dance? Below, we’ve prepared a short guide with examples. Read on to learn how to write each section of your dance essay.

Dance Essay Introduction

The introduction is the opening paragraph of an essay that should engage the readers. Use a hook to grab the readers’ interest and introduce your topic. It can be a catchy quote, interesting question, or controversial statement.

Hook example : Imagine a world where bodies move in perfect harmony, telling stories without words. That’s the magic of dance, an art form that transcends language and culture, captivating audiences for centuries.

After that, you can provide some background information about the subject. End your introduction with a thesis statement .

Thesis Statement about Dance

The thesis statement outlines the central argument or purpose of the essay. It is the last sentence of your introduction, summarizing the whole paper. Your thesis should include all the main points mentioned in your writing in the same sequence.

Dance thesis example : Dance is not only a form of artistic expression but also a means of communication, a tool for personal growth, and a reflection of cultural identity.

Essay about Dance: Body Paragraphs

The essay’s body contains paragraphs that provide evidence and support for the thesis statement. Each section should begin with a topic sentence that presents a point related to your central argument.

Topic sentence example : One significant aspect of dance is its ability to convey emotions and stories through movement.

Evidence, such as examples, facts, or research, should support the topic sentence. The evidence should be analyzed and explained to show how it supports the thesis statement.

Evidence example : In classical ballet, dancers’ graceful movements and facial expressions can portray a wide range of emotions, from love and joy to sorrow and anger.

Dancing Essay: Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part that summarizes the main points made in the essay’s body. It should also restate the thesis statement in a paraphrased form without introducing new information. The conclusion should leave a lasting impression and a sense of closure.

Conclusion example : In conclusion, dance is a powerful form of expression beyond mere movement. It is a universal language conveying emotions, facilitating personal growth, and reflecting cultural identity.

How to Describe Dancing: Words & Tips

When describing dancing in an essay, use vivid and sensory language to convey the experience. Words such as “graceful,” “rhythmic,” “expressive,” and “dynamic” can capture the movement and style of dancing.

Emotive words like “joy,” “passion,” “energy,” and “freedom” can convey the emotional impact of dancing. Describing the physical sensations of dancing can make the description more immersive. You can write about the feeling of one’s body in motion, the sound of feet tapping, the swish of skirts, or the rush of adrenaline.

Metaphors or similes, such as “floating like a butterfly,” can add depth and creativity. Overall, using vivid language that engages the senses and emotions will benefit your paper.

We hope you found a perfect essay topic in this article. Use our free online title generator to get even more creative topics about dance and writing inspiration.

• Dance 260: Introduction to Dance: Dance Topics | BYU Library
• Dance: Topics in Dance and Dance History | Utah Tech University Library
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• Dance 260: Introduction to Dance: Research Help | BYU Library
• Writing a Dance Critique | Utah Tech University Library
• Glossary for Dance | Connecticut’s Official State Website
• Guidelines For Writing a Dance Review | Human Kinetics

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The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

1 Faculty of Sport Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China

2 Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

3 Department of Sport Physical Education and Health, Centre for Health and Exercise Science Research, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

Alistair Cole

Julien s. baker, rashmi supriya, tomas k. tong, roger awan-scully.

José Parraça , Universidade de Évora, Portugal

Associated Data

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Background: The aim of this review was to examine the physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children and adolescents. We consider the therapeutic benefits of dance and outline the potential of dance as an alternative therapy for certain pathologies and medical disorders. Secondly, we summarize the types of dances used in physical interventions, and comment on the methodologies used. Finally, we consider the use of dance as a different exercise modality that may have benefits for increased physical activity generally, and for increased physical education provision in schools.

Methods: A structured search strategy was conducted using the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science, PsycARTICLES, and Social Science database. This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. Studies that were published in the past 20 years were considered for inclusion. All written publications were searched for in English, and all articles included in this review were peer reviewed full papers.

Conclusion: The key findings from this review indicate that dance is a feasible alternative to traditional physical activity. The findings also indicate that dance provides physiological and psychological benefits to healthy and medically compromised populations. Implementation of dance programs in schools and society generally needs serious consideration by policy makers. We hope that the results of this review stimulate debate and provide the necessary evidence to profile dance as a viable alternative medium of physical activity. Comprehensive and integrated changes will be needed including economical and legislative support from politicians and associated governmental agencies. The findings reported here are important and have implications for health policy change, reconfiguration, and implementation.

1 Introduction

Physical Activity (PA) provides positive health benefits. The benefits include increases in cardiovascular fitness, physiological and psychological health, and musculoskeletal strength. In addition, PA has been successful in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as stroke, diabetic problems, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. PA has also been proven to be beneficial for maintaining a healthy body weight, enhancing quality of life, and contributing to individual well-being ( WHO, 2020 ). PA also contributes positively in influencing social connectedness ( Duberg et al., 2020 ). Equally, a decline in PA or lack of engagement, is one of the major risk factors associated with good health and mortality. Individuals not engaging in PA are prone to a 20%–30% risk of death increase compared to individuals participating in PA ( WHO, 2020 ).

It has also been reported that engagement in regular PA is essential for healthy growth and development in children ( WHO, 2020 ). The growth and developmental period in young people, is a time when negative social, and psychological experiences can affect cognitive, intellectual, and rational development ( Lund et al., 2018 ). In support of this, most preventive strategies have increased success rates when the focus of the preventive strategy occurs in the early years and decades of life ( Kieling et al., 2011 ). The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that young people aged 5–17 years should participate in on average 60 min a day of moderate-to-vigorous exercise. The exercise type should mostly include aerobic activity executed over a 7-day period. The inclusion of high intensity performances, such as strength exercises, for at least 3 days a week is also desirable. The time spent participating in sedentary activities, particularly television and computer screen time, also needs to be minimized ( WHO, 2020 ).

However, despite this, 80% of the world’s adolescent population do not participate in physical activity ( WHO, 2020 ). This figure is particularly alarming in female populations. One reason for lack of participation by females could be related to physical development. As females grow and develop, they become more aware of the significance of femininity, and involvement in exercise is often depicted as not corresponding to this image ( Slater and Tiggemann, 2010 ). This problem has become even more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine stratagems have had a poor impact on PA. Research has revealed significant decreases in PA during this period ( Tao et al., 2021 ). These undesirable health consequences of quarantine measures, that include psychological stress and greater physical inactivity, need consideration post quarantine to promote increased physical activity and associated health benefits ( Füzéki et al., 2020 ).

Dance movement practice (DMP) is a type of art therapy that has been entrenched in modern culture for 70 years. Dance provides benefits for participants that are both personal and independent. Dance participation also provides physical and mental wellbeing ( Tao et al., 2021 ). Further benefits include defining and consolidating body image; illuminating the ego; providing relief of physical tension, anxiety, and aggression, while decreasing cognitive and kinesthetic confusion. Dance also increases the capacity for interaction, increases pleasure, fun, and impulsiveness ( Jeong et al., 2005 ). In addition, children subjected to emotional illness have certain emotional and physical limitations when engaging in traditional PA. Dance is a physical activity medium that can provide discrete and precise exercise prescriptions for these individuals.

Research related to dance interventions has demonstrated a rising trajectory in recent years. However, dance still needs to be recognized as viable physical activity alternative. In earlier reviews on children and adolescent populations, it was demonstrated that dance therapy could promote beneficial health aspects in children with autism spectrum disorders ( Aithal et al., 2021 ). The research outlined that dance may be associated with positive physical, cognitive and sociological adaptations for children with emotional and physical problems, however, the selection of articles used in the study were of a poor quality and need to be viewed with caution ( May et al., 2021 ). There are a further three articles focusing on the association between dance, well-being and health, however, there are some imperfections in the studies. These include not fully exploring the outcomes of the dance intervention including other types of PA ( Mansfield et al., 2018 ); less coverage for age groups ( Carson et al., 2017 ). In addition, some studies only verified the amount of time spent performing at moderate to vigorous intensities in children and adolescents during the dance class. Further studies need to expand on the potential benefits and exercise intensities and durations used in these groups ( Dos Santos et al., 2021 ). To the best our knowledge, there are no existing studies that have explored fully the benefits of dance interventions for children and adolescents. Further research is required to systematically report on all aspects related to the benefits of dance as a viable physical activity for this population. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to select all the studies utilizing a dance intervention in children and adolescents over the past 20 years; examine the dance intervention method; verify the outcomes; summarize the strengths and limitations of the research; and to provide evidence that dance can be used for children and adolescents as a suitable and viable physical activity in the future.

The four main objectives of this systematic review were to examine: 1) The emotional and physical benefits of dance in children and adolescents; 2) To consider the benefits of dance as an alternative physical activity/therapy for children and adolescents with certain medical disorders; 3) To examine the types of dances selected for the interventions reviewed, and the specific training loads required. This information may be useful for future research and implementation; 4) To consider dance as an alternative PA for school physical education provision.

2 Methodology

2.1 eligibility criteria.

Studies focusing on the use of dance as an intervention and studies that involved children and adolescents inclusive of up to 18 years of age were included. Studies that were written in English and published in the past 20 years were considered. Meta-analyses or systematic review/review articles and pilot studies were excluded. Studies that used professional/semi-professional dancers as participants were also excluded. For inclusion in this review, each selected article must have been subjected to a peer review process prior to publication. In addition, the article had to present a clear, consistent methodology.

2.2 Information Sources and Search Strategy

A literature search was completed on 25 November 2021, articles were found by examining electronic databases to locate research studies that focused on the use of dance as an intervention for children and adolescents. The search methodology used in this study was based on the PICOS system ( Jensen, 2017 ) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines ( Moher et al., 2009 ). PROSPERO Registration Number is CRD42022326748. To locate articles for inclusion in this review the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science, PsycARTICLES, and Social Science databases were comprehensively searched. Publications were identified for inclusion using the MeSH terms Children OR Teenager OR Adolescent OR Schoolchildren OR Student AND Dance OR Dancing OR Ballroom-dance OR Sport-dance OR Ballet OR Jazz OR Folk-dance OR Hip-Pop OR Square-dance OR Dance-movement-therapy OR Dance-effectiveness OR Dance-interventions. Additionally, other review or systematic review articles were used as guidelines to source articles that matched the inclusion criteria ( Sheppard and Broughton, 2020 ).

2.3 Study Selection and Data Collection Process

Articles used in this review were selected by identification of the search terms contained in the full texts. Articles not meeting the inclusion criteria or meeting the exclusion criteria were discarded. Figure 1 represents a flowchart of the process of identification and selection of relevant studies. The study selection process was confirmed by two authors (DT and JSB). If there was a disagreement between the two authors in the selection process, a third author (RS) contributed to resolving any article selection or exclusion issues.

Flowchart: Article selection process.

Data extraction sheets were then developed. The first author (DT) extracted the data from included studies and the second author (JSB) checked the extracted articles. Any disagreements between authors was resolved by amicable discussion; if no consensus was accomplished, a third author (RS) decided the outcome. The following information for each study was extracted: 1) The citation information; 2) Participants demographics; 3) Dance intervention; 4) Study design/Measurements/Type of data; 5) Key findings.

2.4 Risk of Bias for Individual Studies

Risk of bias variables included random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of patients and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting and other bias was examined following the Cochrane collaboration Risk of Bias Tool ( Higgins and Altman, 2017 ; Higgins et al., 2011 ). 15 RCT studies were divided into three categories, low risk, high risk, or unclear risk (when a study reported inadequate information to rate a specific domain). Risk of bias was also assessed separately using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. This assessment was completed by DT and RS independently; any disagreements on the risk of bias were adjudicated by JSB.

3.1 Study Selection and Characteristics

In total, 179 articles, after excluding duplicates, were identified by the literature search process. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 162 were discarded resulting in 17 remaining articles (see Figure 1 ). Included articles were summarized into tables (see Table 1 and Table 2 for further details). Ten (59%) of the 17 studies recruited females as participants ( Jeong et al., 2005 ; Robinson et al., 2010 ; O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Wagener et al., 2012 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ; Staiano et al., 2017a ; Duberg et al., 2020 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ; Högström et al., 2022 ), the remaining seven articles were studies inclusive of both genders ( Morris et al., 2013 ; Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ; Bollimbala et al., 2019 ; Oppici et al., 2020 ; Goswami et al., 2021 ; Raghupathy et al., 2021 ; Rudd et al., 2021 ). There were 15 (88%) studies that used randomized controlled trials (RCT) ( Jeong et al., 2005 ; Robinson et al., 2010 ; Wagener et al., 2012 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ; Staiano et al., 2017a ; Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ; Bollimbala et al., 2019 ; Duberg et al., 2020 ; Oppici et al., 2020 ; Goswami et al., 2021 ; Raghupathy et al., 2021 ; Rudd et al., 2021 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ; Högström et al., 2022 ), and 8 (47%) studies used both quantitative and qualitative mixed methods to collect data ( Jeong et al., 2005 ; Robinson et al., 2010 ; O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Wagener et al., 2012 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Morris et al., 2013 ; Staiano et al., 2017a ; Goswami et al., 2021 ). Included studies examined objective indicators and self-reported measurements with physiological (41%) ( O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Morris et al., 2013 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ; Staiano et al., 2017a ; Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ; Högström et al., 2022 ). psychological (47%) ( Jeong et al., 2005 ; Robinson et al., 2010 ; Wagener et al., 2012 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Bollimbala et al., 2019 ; Duberg et al., 2020 ; Oppici et al., 2020 ; Rudd et al., 2021 ) and medical (12%) ( Goswami et al., 2021 ; Raghupathy et al., 2021 ) included as the three main aspects of this study. The results and key concepts of the review are discussed below.

Summary of participant age groups, research design, methodological approach and outcome examined.

Other type in the dance intervention part = Exergaming, African dance, Jazz dance, street, Contemporary dance, Traditional India dance, Folk dance, India classical dance, Hip-pop, Step dance, Educational dance, Dance-based PE, Dance and Yoga.

Detailed summary of the study details.

3.2 Risk of Bias Within Individual Studies

A summary of the risk of bias assessment is shown in Figure 2 . Each study is outlined in Figure 3 . According to the assessment criteria no studies were rated as being of low risk of bias. The primary reason for a high risk of bias was the lack of participant and personnel blinding (60%) across the majority of studies; other reasons were incomplete outcome data (20%) and other bias (20%) (the authors explained in the risk factors that may influence the results of the study) separately. Selective reporting (80%) and random sequence generation (67%) items in most studies were rated as low risk of bias, and most studies rated as being unclear risk of bias due to lack of clear reporting in allocation concealment (87%), other bias included (67%) and blinding of outcome assessment (53%) items.

The summary of risk of bias.

Risk of bias for each study.

3.3 Dance Selection

There is no consensus regarding the dance intervention type or intervention duration period in the existing literature. The ideal intervention would include different dance types for matching different participants (gender, religion, etc.). During the intervention, teaching supportively and non-judgmentally were important. A further important factor for consideration during dance implementation studies was cultural diversity. Certain traditional or special dances for certain areas and populations may demonstrate greater participation and better intervention performances and results. For further information see Table 2 .

In relation to the articles selected for this review, they mainly included African dance ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Duberg et al., 2020 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ), Jazz ( O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Duberg et al., 2013 ; Duberg et al., 2020 ; Oppici et al., 2020 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ), Contemporary dance ( Duberg et al., 2013 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ), Exergaming video dance ( Wagener et al., 2012 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ; Staiano et al., 2017a ), Ballet ( O’Neill et al., 2011 ), Jazz dance, Tap dance ( O’Neill et al., 2011 ), Street dance ( Duberg et al., 2020 ; Sandberg et al., 2021 ), Hip-pop ( Robinson et al., 2010 ), Step dance ( Robinson et al., 2010 ), Fork dance ( Bollimbala et al., 2019 ), Traditional Indian dance ( Raghupathy et al., 2021 ), Education dance ( Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ), Dance combined with Yoga ( Högström et al., 2022 ), and specially choreographed dance routine ( Jeong et al., 2005 ; Morris et al., 2013 ; Bollimbala et al., 2019 ; Goswami et al., 2021 ; Rudd et al., 2021 ).

For ethical reasons, control groups should be offered dance interventions following completion of the studies. Researchers should ensure professional choreography of dance interventions and make the routines both physically intense and enjoyable. Researchers should also consider the acceptability of dance for males in the process of wide-ranging dance promotion.

3.4 Intervention Monitoring

It is very important in dance study design to monitor intervention training loads. During dance interventions, setting a related exercise target Heart Rate (HR) to ensure that participants reach a predetermined level of exercise is essential. Depending on physical fitness levels, population groups, and ability, variations in intensity of exercise including high-intensity exercise or moderate to vigorous exercise may be used. The intervention duration should be longer than the time required for habit-forming at least to allow participants to continue dancing following the intervention. This important methodological issue has been neglected in previous studies. Only certain articles mentioned intervention monitoring, such as the use of Heart Rate ( Wagener et al., 2012 ), and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) ( Borg 1998 ). However, scientific and professional monitoring of training intensities is lacking; experimental design and interventions are needed that are based on strong scientific evidence or follow the WHO guidelines ( WHO, 2020 ).

3.5 Outcome Measure Summary

Outcome measures outlined in this review include objective measurement methods and self-rated measures of activity. We suggest that a combination of these two measurement methodologies will provide a more complete understanding of the participants’ responses to the intervention results based on desired outcome measures (See Table 2 ).

Of the articles selected for this review, articles included objective measurements, such as anthropometric measurements ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Staiano et al., 2017a ; Staiano et al., 2017b ), physical activity levels ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Morris et al., 2013 ), heart rate (HR) ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; Robinson et al., 2010 ; O’Neill et al., 2011 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ), body mass index (BMI) ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; Morris et al., 2013 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ), blood pressure (BP) ( Högström et al., 2022 ), blood samples for total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LOD)-cholesterol, body composition ( Robinson et al., 2010 ; Staiano et al., 2017b ), Four-Square Step Test (FSST) ( Raghupathy et al., 2021 ), Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) ( Raghupathy et al., 2021 ), plasma serotonin and dopamine concentrations ( Jeong et al., 2005 ), 6-minute-walk-test, 10-minute-fast-walk-test ( Goswami et al., 2021 ), executive functions ( Oppici et al., 2020 ; Rudd et al., 2021 ), motor development ( Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ; Goswami et al., 2021 ; Raghupathy et al., 2021 ).

Questionnaire measurements, included the Perceived Competence Scale (PCS) ( Wagener et al., 2012 ), Adolescent Self-Report Scales (SRP-A) ( Wagener et al., 2012 ), Measure of Psychological Distress (SCL-90-R) ( Jeong et al., 2005 ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( Sandberg et al., 2021 ), the scale for Self-efficacy for Physical Activity, the scale for Self-efficacy for Healthy Eating ( Morris et al., 2013 ), Symptom Check List-90-Revison (SCL-90-R), Child Behavior Checklist ( Oppici et al., 2020 ), McKnight Risk Factor Survey; Female African American Pre-adolescent Body Figure Silhouettes; 10-item short form of the Children’s Depression Inventory; 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale ( Robinson et al., 2010 ), Godin-Shephard Leisure Time PA, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory to assess their enjoyment and experience of playing exergames ( Staiano et al., 2017a ).

Outcome measures also included measures derived from the authors, such as participants-reported competency regarding maintaining regular exercise, internalizing and externalizing symptomatology, social stress, relationship with parents, interpersonal relationships, social skill and pro-social behaviors ( Wagener et al., 2012 ), knowledge of healthy lifestyles test ( Morris et al., 2013 ), questions regarding lifestyle, self-rated health, emotional distress, psychosomatic symptoms, feelings, depression, sleep, school, interests, friends, leisure time, and how the subjects enjoyed dance ( Duberg et al., 2013 ), maximum abdominal pain ( Högström et al., 2022 ), somatic symptoms and emotional distress ( Duberg et al., 2020 ), executive functions, working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and motor competence ( Rudd et al., 2021 ).

4 Discussion

4.1 physiological benefits of dance, 4.1.1 dance intervention contributed to access to physical activity.

An acceptable exercise should be enjoyable, fun, safe and make the participants feel elated. The high participation rate and ease of acceptance and performance made dance interventions a sustainable and flexible alternative mediator to increase physical activity. Dance intervention programs can be performed in safe community spaces, free of charge. This provides a good opportunity for the parents to have more communication and social interaction with their children while facilitating intergenerational togetherness. These are good social outcomes for parental involvement with children in addition to providing a good family exercise environment ( Morris et al., 2013 ). Previously, a dance study enrolled 149 girls (11–18 years-old) into dance intervention group. Activity was performed using structured dance classes in a dance studio. Dancing occupied 29 percent of the individual’s moderate-to vigorous-physical activity (MVPA) (within 1 week). During intervention days the female participants were 70% more MVPA than non-program time ( O’Neill et al., 2011 ).

4.1.2 Physical Fitness Improvement

Young people aged between 15 and 24 years encounter greater daytime fatigue than other age groups; this problem seems to be more severe among girls. Daytime tiredness increases in adolescents with health problems, these include sleep disturbances, and mental health issues. These associated psychological issues, somatic problems, and negative attitudes towards life decrease school achievement and satisfaction ( Sandberg et al., 2021 ). An article investigating 8 months dance intervention, using a total of 48 classes over 24 weeks (except holidays), found that daytime fatigue significantly decreased in a dance intervention cohort at 8 months ( p = 0.024). Follow up measures observed that there were still decreases at 12- and 20-months post intervention separately. The quality of sleep indicators also improved during the dance intervention. These included, falling asleep ( p = 0.0037), less worried sleep ( p = 0.041), and waking up during the night ( p = 0.023). Daytime fatigue decreased without changes in sleep time, which suggests improvements in both sleep quality and well-being. The findings also indicate the facilitation of the creation of a healthy positive sleep cycle ( Sandberg et al., 2021 ).

4.1.3 Dance in Combination With Traditional Physical Activity

A previous investigation examined combining a dance intervention with running activity using primary school students. The physical activity level, skinfolds reduction and endurance fitness showed the significant increases ( p < 0.05) compared with a control group. For the secondary measurements, there were no change in dietary variables, knowledge, and majority of psychological indicators. However, the participants, teachers, and parents all responded positively. From the pupil’s perspective, most pupils enjoyed practicing dance and had a positive experience from joining the dance competitions. The parents all expressed that their children had a pleasant feeling from participating from the program, and because of their involvement, had become more aware of their own physical activity lifestyles ( Morris et al., 2013 ). Dance also seems to have a positive effect on certain neuromuscular and neurovascular conditions.

Globally, 13.5% of school-aged children are affected by functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs). FAPDs include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, abdominal migraine, and functional abdominal pain (FAP). Abdominal pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, reduced life quality, and school absenteeism ( Högström et al., 2022 ). Previously, a research article demonstrated that Yoga had beneficial effects in reducing pain intensity, absenteeism, and IBS-related symptoms. Dance is a relaxed rhythmical activity, and when combined with yoga, seems to provide physical and mental benefits that reduce pain. In addition, dance is an extremely popular activity for young females. This research examined the benefits of dance and yoga on FAP using a female population. The 121 participants in the study were 9–13 years old girls who were diagnosed with FAP or IBS with persistent pain. The dance and yoga interventions were performed on two occasions per week lasting 8 months conducted during after-school courses. The key findings indicated that dance in association with yoga works better for this population than standard conventional health care methods for reducing maximum pain aspects. We can further hypothesize that these activities in combination might have been the strength of this intervention, as dance contributes to cardiorespiratory and rhythmic aspects of movement while yoga helps with focus, relaxation, and introspection ( Högström et al., 2022 ). The socialization potential of the intervention may also have had positive impacts. Opportunities to engage with new friends and to observe other girls suffering from similar symptoms may have also helped facilitate the positive responses observed.

4.1.4 Dance in Games

Over 60% of adolescents spend 73 min/day on video games ( Staiano et al., 2017b ). High levels of traditional and digital media use are linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental problems over the life course. These risks and associations have been observed to start in early childhood. Prolonged media use during preschool years is associated with increases in Body Mass Index (BMI). Body weight gain may be difficult to regress in combination with other risk factors, which increases the risk for greater weight gain and illness later in adult life ( Robinson et al., 2010 ). This statement agrees with an international study that included almost three hundred thousand children and adolescents; the researchers found that watching TV 1–3 h per day led to a 10%–27% increase in obesity ( Braithwaite et al., 2013 ).

As a result of the upsurge in computer use, some research studies have combined games and dance to cater for the characteristics of children and adolescents associated with media use and to minimize the effects of sedentary screen time. Dance-related computer games can increase the enjoyment and motivation of participation by allowing children and adolescents to take the initiative in selecting the variables of interest during the game. For example, participants can select the intensity levels, dance routines/mode, dance music, even dance game partners. In a research study investigating 36 h of dance exergaming lasting 12 weeks, researchers observed a decrease in adiposity and an increase in bone mineral density compared to a non-exercising control group ( Staiano et al., 2017b ). Furthermore, active video games (exergaming) facilitate exercise in a comfortable home environment, helps with exercise adherence and facilitates positive long-term changes in behavior. Recent studies have found exergaming to be far greater in enhancing energy expenditure when compared with non-active video games. The energy expenditure values obtained suggest that the intensities are comparable with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise ( Wagener et al., 2012 ).

Active video game (exergaming) participation requires entire body movements. This results in light to moderate increases in energy expenditure and elevated heart rates. This could contribute to weight reduction and health benefits ( Staiano et al., 2017a ). In group settings, active video gaming may have benefits for increasing self-efficacy related to PA. There may also be beneficial effects for intrinsic motivation. Social cognitive theory suggests that behavioral change results from links among behaviors, the environment, and psychosocial variables ( Staiano et al., 2017a ). Group cohesion resulting from digital game play may be appealing to obese young people. These individuals are less likely to engage in traditional sports owing to excess weight, criticism, and bullying. Group active video play may provide a method of improving poor psychosocial health experienced by overweight and obese young people and facilitate increases in total PA levels ( Staiano et al., 2017a ). Future research is needed to investigate exergames and the design of dance games as enjoyable, sociable, motivating, and effective physical activity devices.

4.1.5 Motor Development

Motor development defines physical growth and the strengthening of a child’s bones and muscles. It also defines an ability to move and touch his/her surroundings. For instance, if a child is good at gross motor skills such as crawling or walking, this affects cognitive development because he/she can easily move and explore their physical environment. In recent times, most children do not participate in PA outdoors; their favorite games no longer require large movements, and instead of using sports halls and open spaces, games are mostly played on cell phones, computers, or tablets ( Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ).

A randomized control study investigated a group who attended two classes of dance per week, over a 7-month period. The intervention was a specialized modified educational dance program. Using creative and ludic proposals, the intervention challenged the subjects to discover and experiment with new movement patterns and discover new ways of implementing the movements they already knew. The results of the study demonstrated significant improvements in motor development capabilities of the students exposed to educational dance lessons, compared with a control group. Both groups obtained positive results; however, the dance intervention group improved more. The improvements observed for motor skill development were maintained following cessation of the program. The author of the experiment stated that the practice of educational dance should be longitudinal as motor development is permanently evolving ( Anjos and Ferraro, 2018 ).

4.2 Psychological Benefits of Dance

4.2.1 alleviation of depressive symptoms.

A recent experiment focused on African-American girls aged 8–10 years old and their parents or guardians who were involved in a dance intervention lasting 2 years. Fasting total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and depressive symptoms decreased significantly among girls in the dance treatment group. There were no significant differences between groups for BMI ( Robinson et al., 2010 ). A further study examined 12 weeks of dance movement therapy in adolescents with mild depression. The results suggested that dance movement therapy demonstrated positive improvements in the symptoms such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. All these variables are related to negative metal health problems ( Jeong et al., 2005 ). Fatigue, stress, insomnia, and psychological symptoms are directly or indirectly linked to circulating levels of serotonin and dopamine. The increased plasma serotonin concentrations and decreased dopamine concentrations indicate possible therapeutic benefits for the decreases in depression observed in the dance movement therapy group ( Jeong et al., 2005 ).

4.2.2 Perceived Competence

Obese adolescents have sedentary existences and report feelings of embarrassment, fear of victimization and poor self-confidence about their ability to engage in exercise in group situations as powerful reasons for non-participation in physical activity ( Wagener et al., 2012 ). In relation to this, a recent study considered a dance exergaming program in obese adolescents. The findings from the study indicated that the intervention group increased their perceived competence to participate in exercise from the start to the end of an exercise period compared with a control group ( Wagener et al., 2012 ). Further benefits were that participants reported that there was an improvement in relationships with their parents. There was also a meaningful change in a high percentage of participants in the exergaming intervention that experienced improved internalizing and externalizing symptoms from baseline to the end of treatment compared to the control group. In addition, there was a very high adherence rate (98%) suggesting that group dance exergaming had a positive impact on improving obese adolescents’ self-efficacy to continue exercising and to cope with any perceived barriers to exercise ( Wagener et al., 2012 ).

4.2.3 Executive Function

Executive function plays a crucial role during childhood development. The developments include working memory capacity, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility ( Rudd et al., 2021 ). Executive function is a particular area of interest during the developmental stages of early childhood and has been observed to be a superior indicator of academic achievement than IQ or socio-economic status ( Oppici et al., 2020 ). Children with limited executive function are prone to a broad range of poor health and wellbeing outcomes in adulthood. Working memory is essential for understanding and making sense of new experiences as children develop over time. Low working memory capacity has been linked with poorer performance academically. As a result, designing suitable physical activity interventions that can improve working memory capacity in children are desirable and advantageous for children’s development. The improvements in executive function will eventually lead to a more intellectual and capable society ( Oppici et al., 2020 ).

Dance is often accompanied by music to create a constant sense of pleasure and motor stimulation, that is, synchronized with performance. This also provides participants with many opportunities for whole-body movement. To investigate this, an RCT that included an 8-weeks intervention was administered to 6–7-year-old children to assess the efficacy of four executive function measures. The measures were working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and motor competence. The interventions included two dance syllabuses. The results showed that both dance syllabuses improved inhibitory control ability. The choreographed syllabus also developed working memory capacity; unfortunately, the improvement of motor competence did not exceed normal development ( Rudd et al., 2021 ).

A further study explored the effects of working memory capacity and motor competence in primary school children using different teaching pedagogies and different cognitive challenges; the experimental results showed no statistically significant differences between groups. However, the dance teachers added a cognitive challenge by limited visual presentations and encouraged children to use memories and recall movement sequences in the high-cognitive group. The results of the study demonstrated the possibility and suitability of using dance practice in combination with high cognitive challenges to improve working memory and motor competence in children. It also contributed to social skills development and the integration and enhancement of emotional elements resulting from performing in groups ( Oppici et al., 2020 ). In addition to the benefits of dance enhancing executive function, dance has been shown to be advantageous in the development of convergent thinking. Convergent thinking is associated with the process of solving problems and finding a solution to a problem ( Bollimbala et al., 2019 ). Recent studies have shown that a 20-min dance protocol as part of a regular 30-min physical education session contributed to an improvement in convergent thinking (irrespective of their BMI status). An RCT study did not establish a correlation between dance class and the development of creative potential. However, in terms of divergent thinking components (fluency and flexibility), participants with normal BMI showed improvements following a dance class intervention. The dance class group also demonstrated an increase in convergent thinking compared to the control group ( Bollimbala et al., 2019 ).

4.2.4 Internalizing Problems

Internalizing problems include depressed mood, low self-worth, and psychosomatic symptoms. Adolescent psychological health problems may have long-term negative effects on personal development; such as poor academic performance, social dysfunction, substance abuse, and suicide, especially in girls. Mental health problems have been cited to be some of the most alarming health issues and are estimated to affect 13% of children and adolescents globally. Female adolescents demonstrate a greater prevalence of health problems than their male counterparts. Females also experience greater levels of stress and somatic symptoms, and are more likely to experience pain and depression ( Duberg et al., 2020 ). Results of an RCT demonstrated that a dance intervention significantly reduced somatic symptoms and emotional distress in adolescent girls after 8 months compared with traditional school health services ( Duberg et al., 2020 ).

Another important study comprising adolescent girls aged 13–18 years old with internalizing problems who reported symptoms including pains in the head, stomach, neck, back, and/or shoulder, persistent feelings of tiredness, being worried, and being in low spirits, was completed using dance as the intervention. The intervention lasted 8 months, and self-rated health was measured using a single-item questionnaire which included general health, well-being, perceptions of symptoms, and vulnerability. The questionnaire has also been demonstrated to be both valid and reliable ( Duberg et al., 2013 ). The dance intervention group improved their self-rated health far greater than the control group. The effects of the intervention remained for several months post intervention cessation. In addition, the results also demonstrated high adherence to the intervention and a positive experience for participants. This suggests that an intervention using dance is suitable for adolescent girls with internalizing problems ( Duberg et al., 2013 ). The females participating in the study found the dance intervention to be enjoyable and undemanding, without any of the usual school pressures. The girls included had opportunities to provide input into the dance classes regarding the choice of music, and the girls participated in the creation of the choreography used. This may have created a sense of ownership for the participants, and the social developmental aspects are also important. The opportunity to make new friends and spend time participating in something they enjoy with others who have similar interests might be a powerful issue affecting recruitment, retention, and interest to participate ( Duberg et al., 2013 ).

4.3 Medical Benefits of Dance

Down Syndrome (DS) is a congenital, genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra partial or complete copy of chromosome 21. The neuromotor, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems are functionally problematic in children with DS and this impacts on their quality of life. Approximately fifty-eight percent of children with DS fail to meet the recommended 60 min of PA per day.

Traditional neuromuscular training lacks fun, creativity, and movement exploration. As an aesthetic movement art form, dance also has a positive psychotherapeutic impact, which may improve the intelligence and dual tasking of children with DS. In addition, children express their creativity and emotions such as joy, fun and happiness in the process of practicing and participating in dance, which provides children with body awareness, enthusiasm, and confidence. Ballet and Laban’s dance have been demonstrated to improve balance, rhythm, and autonomous control in children who were DS patients. A previous study used traditional Indian dance as an intervention investigating outcomes in 36 children with DS. Traditional Indian dance appeared to be beneficial for improving locomotor skills and balance capacity in children with DS. The intervention was more effective when compared with traditional neuromuscular training. There were no adverse movement effects or discomfort recorded during and following the dance sessions. These findings outline the safety and feasibility of Indian dance regimes for this group ( Raghupathy et al., 2021 ).

In addition to the studies mentioned above, a further RCT investigating dance performance outcomes included children between the ages of 5 and 12 years, clinically diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The participants had Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Scores of II/III. In this study, dance exercise was one of eight activities that all children were expected to perform. The study evaluated the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of home-based activity rehabilitation programs for children with diplegic CP. The results of the study and methodology used suggested that dance exercise was a good choice to be added to this activity package for diplegic CP sufferers ( Cygan et al., 2020 ; Goswami et al., 2021 ).

4.4 Strengths and Limitations

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review investigating children and adolescent development using dance as an intervention. For inclusion in this review, each selected article was subjected to a peer review process prior to publication. In addition, each article had to present a clear, consistent methodology which added to research integrity.

Limitations of this review include that some of the articles only used females as participants. Therefore, generalizations about the study findings to male populations are difficult. Future studies should focus on the adaptations of dance interventions using both genders as participants. This will provide compelling evidence about the benefits of dance while minimizing the effects of gender specificity. A further limitation was that some of the studies outlined in this review used self-reported measurement tools. This may have introduced an element of recall bias. There was also a limited number of articles that were deemed suitable for inclusion based on the selection criteria.

5 Implications of Dance Exercise

Schools in many countries have traditionally hosted some form of health education program to develop knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to health awareness. Schools are in a unique position to provide healthy and academic outcomes via the implementation of health and wellness policies. Most children spend more time in school than any other location except for the home. Schools are crucial and practical for managing and providing information about childhood health risks. Because of the relationships between health status and the ability to learn, schools are in an exclusive location to influence healthy lifestyles for students by health policy implementation. Schools need to seriously consider this advantageous position to produce a solid healthy foundation in the growth stage of children that will have an important and positive impact on individuals, families, and society.

Dance and in particular creative dance, enriches the performance, composition, and appreciation of human movement, with a particular focus on producing aesthetic value. Dance performed in groups provides a social type of physical activity. Dance is also beneficial for increasing self-trust, self-esteem, and self-expression in children and adolescents ( Duberg et al., 2020 ).

Students who engage in dance at school show greater initial socialization skills and better academic achievement compared with individuals who do not participate in dance. Dance internalizes the systems involved in art forms, and both children and adolescents can use the experience gained as tools for thinking, behaving, and regulating the inner world of their minds. Certain schools in Mainland China, provide dance programs as part of after-curriculum activities that are available on a weekly basis.

The findings reported here can be of value to practitioners, policymakers, and educational staff. Because of teaching experience and having witnessed the positive effects of providing students with a broad selection of physical activities, many teachers and practitioners support dance-based physical education (PE). Despite this, dance-based schemes remain vulnerable to exclusion from the PE curriculum. This is more likely in schools where PE is viewed as a developmental tool for the preparation for participation in competitive sport. Certain schools also view PE lessons as a medium to enhance and refine elite athletic performers. Further research is needed to examine if participation in dance enhances athletic performance, increases competitiveness, and is complementary to athletic development. The findings of this review could be interpreted as providing further evidence for the value of retaining and developing dance-based PE in the school curriculum. The findings also support the importance of dance in physical education provision more generally.

A consensus survey of PE teachers should be conducted to understand the views and feasibility of PE teachers regarding including dance as a part of PE curriculum and the implementation of dance for the existing curriculum and syllabus. There are also essential factors such as teacher training and curriculum development that need consideration. In the long term, overall improvements in health and physical fitness parameters result in improvements in the quality of life for individuals. Health policy amendments are needed to provide further support for the place of dance within the physical education curriculum.

6 Conclusion

In conclusion, dance develops relationships, connects people, and increases feelings of joy and togetherness. Dance has virtually no venue restrictions. It can be practiced at home, in isolation, in groups, or anywhere with suitable spaces. Dance requires no special equipment, and this characteristic is suitable for low-income families and financially limited regions and countries. In summary, dance can be used as an appropriate and alternative physical activity mode for children and adolescents. The implementation of dance programs needs serious consideration by policy makers, schools, guardians and parents to produce greater long-term increases in physical activity in the foreseeable future. We hope that this systematic review will stimulate debate and provide more evidence for governments, schools, parents, and associated community officials to attach importance to dance as a medium of physical activity. Comprehensive and integrated changes are needed in relation to school/family/government/community partnerships. These changes include political and financial support from policy makers, and increased dance evaluation research that are important for a physical activity health policy reconfiguration and subsequent implementation.

Data Availability Statement

Author contributions.

The manuscript underwent several revisions with substantial contributions provided by each co-author. DT and JSB designed the study and the data synthesis strategy. DT conducted the systematic review, extracted and summarized the data and created the figures and tables. DT and JSB wrote the present manuscript, while AC, RA-S, RS, YGU, TKT, QH, and YG contributed the writing and critically revised the paper. All authors provided critical feedback, and read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

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How Dancing Helps Your Mental Health

Barbara is a writer and speaker who is passionate about mental health, overall wellness, and women's issues.

Edwin Tan / Getty Images

How Dancing Benefits Mental Health

How different types of dancing affect mental health, dance therapy, how to get started.

Dancing is fun and can be a great way to celebrate, but evidence also suggests it can be a powerful tool for boosting mental health and well-being. Researchers have found that dancing can improve mood, combat depression, boost brain function, foster happiness, and even improve relationships. It can also improve psychological coping and overall well-being.

Whether you prefer solo dancing or being involved in a more formalized and choreographed program, dancing offers obvious plusses to your physical health. You’re not only rhythmically moving your body and expressing feelings. You’re burning calories and getting a workout for sure.

But this creative, fun physical activity also boosts your brain functioning. You’re taking a break from work, family, and everyday stressors. You’re turning off the incessant worry and negative self-talk. Lastly, you don’t have time to ruminate while you dance.

At a Glance

Some people prefer to dance on their own to their favorite songs on Spotify or on the radio. Others want to learn ballroom dancing or hip-hop. Or take a tango class at their local community center. Whatever you choose, dancing can help you stay physically and mentally healthy. The benefits to your mental health from dancing might not be so readily apparent, but they are many and profound.

People often find dancing fun, exciting, and uplifting, but there are also other vital physical and mental health benefits to moving your body along to music. If you're looking for a reason to sign up for a community dance class or start dancing on your own while you listen to music at home, the following are some great benefits you might enjoy.

Mental Health Benefits of Dance

Some ways that dancing might improve your mental health include the following:

• Keeps mind sharp
• Improves self-esteem
• Involves social skills
• Increase endorphins
• Easy to bond with others
• Improves your mood
• Reduces loneliness
• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Decreases rumination
• Helps memory
• May prevent dementia
• Raises pain threshold
• Reduces pain perception

Physical Health Benefits of Dance

Dancing can boost overall physical fitness in a variety of ways, including the following:

• Improves muscle tone
• Increases muscle strength
• Raises heart rate
• Improves lungs
• Increases circulation
• Lowers risk of cardiovascular disease
• Boosts aerobic fitness
• Improves posture
• Makes stronger bones
• Reduces risk of osteoporosis
• Helps weight management
• Improves flexibility
• Better coordination and agility
• Increased endurance

Research has shown that different forms of dance can have a variety of mental health benefits. Types of dance you might want to explore include free-flowing dance, choreographed dance, and synchronized dance.

Free-Flowing Dance

According to a UCLA Health study published in the August 2021 issue of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , conscious, free-flowing dance produced positive mental health benefits among participants. It was based on a survey of 1,000 dancers across the world who had depression , anxiety , or a history of trauma .

A huge majority—98%—of all dancers said the practice improved their mood. Many also reported that conscious dance gave them more confidence and compassion .

Prabha Siddarth, PhD, research statistician at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and senior author on the study noted how participants felt in the flow or in the zone by performing this self-led dance.

Choreographed Dance

In another study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience , researchers compared the effects of walking, stretching, and dancing on the wiring and gray matter of the aging brain . Dancing had the most notable positive effect.

After recruiting volunteers in their 60s and 70s with healthy brains that didn’t show signs of cognitive impairment, researchers randomly placed them in three groups:

• One group walked
• Another stretched and did balance training
• The last group learned country dancing where the choreography of the dancing became progressively more challenging over time

They all did the assigned activity for one hour a day, three times a week. After a period of six months, the volunteers’ brains were re-scanned and compared to when they had begun their regimens.

The researchers found only one group showed an improvement—the country dancers. The participants who learned country dancing now had denser white matter in the part of the brain that processed memory . White matter usually breaks down as a person ages, which may contribute to cognitive decline.

Such results suggest that dancing protects the brain from aging-induced neurodegeneration. This means that dancing is not only an aerobic activity good for your physical health; it helps your brain!

Country dancing, ballroom dancing, tango, salsa, and waltz are all done with others. When you participate in these dances, you’re involved in a beneficial social activity as well. You are also cognitively stimulating your brain as you learn the steps to the dances. Dancing therefore might be one of the best physical activities you can choose for brain health .

Synchronized Dance

Another study found that synchronized dancing with others enabled people to feel closer to each other and fostered friendship . It also raised pain tolerance.

When you synchronize with the people next to you in a Zumba class or a flash mob, you’re doing a form of collective dancing to music. This is great for feelings of closeness with others.  

In the research study, when participants danced, happy chemicals called endorphins were released. Endorphins are integral in the human bonding processes. Thus, they—and we—feel closer to others we are dancing with.

In this particular study, researchers wanted to see the effect of endorphins on pain. Pain was measured by the steady inflation of a blood pressure cuff on the subjects’ non-dominant arms. Study participants were asked to indicate when the pressure became uncomfortable while they danced.

The results of the research showed that those moving most energetically and in synchrony bonded with others, and also had a higher pain threshold.

Some people opt for dance or movement therapy . It’s defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as the "psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual," for the purpose of improving health and well-being.

A research study was conducted on the effects of movement and dance on health-related psychological outcomes. Its findings were promising. The benefits of movement and dance included increased quality of life and interpersonal skills while at the same time lowering depression and anxiety.

If you hadn’t considered dance yet, think again about incorporating dance into your physical and mental health programs.

If you are interested in trying dancing for mental health, here are a few strategies that can help you get started:

Try Dancing Alone at Home

A great place to start is to dance alone at home. Turn up some of your favorite upbeat songs and get moving. You might even try dancing around the house while you're doing housework.

Take a Dance Class

Consider signing up for a dance class, whether online or in person. You can look for dance classes in a variety of places, including:

• Local dance studios
• Community centers
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Local colleges and universities
• Online groups and platforms

Try a Video Game

It can also be motivating to gamify your dance experience. Video games like Just Dance, Beat Saber, and Dance Dance Revolution can be a fun way to get moving.

Go Dancing With Friends

An evening out with friends at a local dance venue can also be a great way to benefit from dancing. It also brings the social benefits of spending time with people in your support network. Plus, it's fun!

For those who are older and worried about injury, as with most activities, work with a certified professional. This person will guide you on how to work with any physical limitation and help you prevent injury. Dance therapists should be fully credentialed and can offer you ways to improve your well-being with a step-by-step plan.

If you never considered dancing due to self-consciousness , you are far from alone. Many people fear that once they get up and move, they will look foolish and that all eyes will be upon them. The fact of the matter is most people are focused on their own dancing and having a good time. Practice with a friend or take lessons. Once you get on the dance floor, you might even find dancing to be a fun way to improve both your physical and mental well-being.

Laird KT, Vergeer I, Hennelly SE, Siddarth P. Conscious dance: Perceived benefits and psychological well-being of participants . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice . 2021;44:101440. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101440

Tao D, Gao Y, Cole A, et al. The physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children and adolescents: A systematic review .  Front Physiol . 2022;13:925958. doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.925958

Moratelli JA, Veras G, Lyra VB, Silveira JD, Colombo R, de Azevedo Guimarães AC. Evidence of the effects of dance interventions on adults mental health: A systematic review .  J Dance Med Sci . 2023;27(4):183-193. doi:10.1177/1089313X231178095

Douka S, Zilidou VI, Lilou O, Manou V. Traditional dance improves the physical fitness and well-being of the elderly . Front Aging Neurosci . 2019;11:75. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00075

Laird KT, Vergeer I, Hennelly SE, Siddarth P. Conscious dance: Perceived benefits and psychological well-being of participants . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice . 2021;44.

Burzynska AZ, Jiao Y, Knecht AM, et al. White matter integrity declined over 6-Months, but dance intervention improved integrity of the fornix of older adults .  Front Aging Neurosci . 2017;9:59. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2017.00059

Tarr B, Launay J, Cohen E, Dunbar R. Synchrony and exertion during dance independently raise pain threshold and encourage social bonding .  Biol Lett . 2015;11(10):20150767. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0767

Koch SC, Riege RFF, Tisborn K, Biondo J, Martin L, Beelmann A. Effects of Dance Movement Therapy and Dance on Health-Related Psychological Outcomes . A Meta-Analysis Update.  Front Psychol . 2019;10:1806. Published 2019 Aug 20. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01806

By Barbara Field Barbara is a writer and speaker who is passionate about mental health, overall wellness, and women's issues.

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In 2014, students from schools in Dothan, Alabama broke the world record for the largest hip hop dance routine. Nearly 2,000 students gathered at a local civic centre and broke the previous record of 1,000 performers, which was set in Japan.

The students spent eight weeks rehearsing the performance, which involved dancing to a mash-up of different hip hop songs. The dance routine was choreographed by Patti Rutland Jazz’s outreach program, a program that offers hip hop classes and other forms of dance lessons to students in Dothan and the surrounding areas. For a video of the students’ performance, see the link at the bottom of the page.

Benefits of Hip Hop Dance Classes

The students in Dothan’s record-breaking performance may just inspire your child to beat their record when you sign them up for hip hop dance lessons in Maple . Besides offering inspiration, hip hop dancing has a number of aerobic benefits that are beneficial to your child’s overall health. It’s an excellent form of exercise that offers multiple health benefits for your child, including the following:

Anaerobic Benefits

While hip hop dancing can be great cardio, it can also help your child strengthen their muscles, too. They are working out aerobically every time they make a step while dancing. By pushing themselves to learn more complex routines and training their muscles beyond the typical routine they’re used to, it can help tone their muscles and increase the flexibility and elasticity in their joints. In order to reap the anaerobic benefits of hip hop dancing, your child should first learn the basics of the genre and then they can start to push themselves a bit further each time they practice.

Health Benefits

Physical Health A major advantage of hip hop dance is that it’s a full body workout. A typical class of 60 minutes can have your child dripping in sweat, depending on the intensity. Consistently raising your child’s heart rate will promote cardiovascular health, and can strengthen the muscles in their arms, legs, and core—they can even improve their bone and joint health by practising hip hop a few times a week. The physical benefits of hip hop dance are immense, and the best part is that your child can take advantage of them while learning cool and fun techniques.

Mental Health The health benefits of hip hop aren’t just physical—this genre of dance can help keep your child’s psyche happy, too. Exercise in general relieves stress, and music can decrease anxiety and depression. Combining music and dance makes for a therapeutic, yet fun way for your child to decompress. In addition, they will increase their muscle memory when dancing, which will help them be more co-ordinated and in tune their your body during their everyday life.

Social Benefits

Dance classes are usually taught in groups, which means that your child will have the opportunity to meet new people outside of their regular social circle. This is an especially important aspect for young children—it’s imperative to help them foster good social skills from an early age, so that they can carry them though life. You child can meet people from all walks of life at a dance class, since there’s no rhyme or reason to who joins.

In addition to being a great socialization opportunity, dance classes also offer a safe space for children. Kids are under a ton of pressure from parents, peers, and teachers, and could end up in the wrong place at the wrong time if they’re not given the right outlets to express their energy. Hip hop classes near you are a fantastic way to keep kids out of trouble, and keep them healthy.

Cognitive Benefits

Believe it or not, you can actually improve your child’s cognitive skills through hip hop dance. A new study conducted showed that gaining experience in hip hop dance could improve certain social and cognitive skills in individuals. One of the main findings proved that hip hop dance may grant some advantages in terms of education—specifically, it would improve some underlying activities that help students succeed in math and science classes, and in social settings.

Cardio Benefits

Hip hop dance gets your child’s heart rate up and increases the flow of oxygen. And since it requires your child to be continually moving, this is one of the best forms of dance for aerobic exercise. It’s also an excellent fat-burning exercise. In addition to aiding in weight loss, hip hop can also lower blood pressure and relieve stress, as well as give a much-needed energy boost. Coupled with an improved diet, taking hip hop classes will transform your child’s fitness level.

Strength-Building Benefits

In addition to being a great way to burn calories and improve fitness, registering your child for hip hop classes in Vaughan can also help to build your child’s strength. As they learn more and more complex routines, they will build their muscles in a way that other forms of exercise can’t.

Hip hop dance lessons for children generally start with the basics, but gradually build in complexity, helping your child to build their muscle strength. You’ll see your child perform complex dance routines with ease. Quality dance studies often employ instructors who are dancers themselves, so they know the importance of taking the time to teach the moves to students at the most basic level, gradually building up to more complex moves.

Other Benefits

Hip hop classes provide a fast-paced, yet fun environment in which your child will get exercise and make new friends. Learning to dance is a great way to bring a shy child out of their shell and build confidence. Who knows? Your child and their classmates may just be inspired by the students in Alabama and try to break their record or create a video that will go viral on YouTube.

Having an appreciation for hip hop helps, but even if it isn’t your child’s favourite kind of music, taking hip hop dance lessons offers a number of benefits for kids that are important to their overall health. It’s a great way for your child to stay healthy and have fun.

For those interested in signing up their child for hip hop lessons in Vaughan or Maple, Performing Dance Arts is a great place to start. With instructors who are dancers themselves and an inviting and inclusive atmosphere, Performing Dance Arts’ dance lessons are a great way to get your child to be excited about getting active. For more information on their hip hop dance lessons in Vaughan or Maple, contact Performing Dance Arts today.

Grenoble, R., “2,000 School Kids Break World Hip Hop Dance Record, Show ‘No Dream Is Too Big’,” The Huffington Post , November 21, 2014;  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/21/world-record-largest-hip-hop-dance-video_n_6193236.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news.

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Home » Blogs And Tips » 6 Health Benefits of Hip Hop Dance

6 Health Benefits of Hip Hop Dance

Many types of hip hop dance have graced the dance world for generations, from breakdancing to locking and popping. While most of the dance health benefits we’re going to share with you are purely physical, some plus points of this type of dance go far beyond the surface.

Grab your dancing shoes and turn on your favorite beat, because after you check out the reasons why enrolling your kids in a hip hop class are beneficial in more ways than one, you’re going to be dancing secret of the stones your way to the sign-up sheet.

1. More Physical Activity

Let’s address the most obvious benefit for children that participate in a hip hop dance class: the physical aspect. Children between the ages of 6-17 need at least an hour of physical activity every day.

Physical activities help them to strengthen their muscles and bones. With dance, children don’t have to think of it as exercise. Instead, they can focus on having fun while exercising.

Depending on the type of hip hop class that your child is enrolled in, they will be using various muscle groups at any given time. And in the process of learning some standout dance moves, they’ll also be improving their heart health. Check maskulinum .

2. Better Social Skills

As children get older, sometimes, they begin to shy away from social situations for fear of not being accepted. This is a normal part of growing up. But as a parent, there is something you can do to help your child come out of their shell and begin creating meaningful relationships with children their own age.

Enrolling your child in dance classes will help them socially because they will meet other children they normally wouldn’t attempt talking to. Meeting people from different places will help your child improve their social skills and learn to talk to and mingle with different people.

3. Expressive Outlet

Children deal with peer pressure and other stressors in their daily lives. For some, not having a place to express their feelings can be a recipe for disaster.

Dance classes provide your child with a place to let all this pent-up energy out while expressing themselves at the same time. They can funnel all of their emotion into these hard-hitting dance moves and feel good about themselves after the class is over.

If your child has been struggling with expressing or venting their feelings, enrolling them in dance classes provides them with a healthy space to do so. Eventually, you’ll begin to notice the positive effects that attending classes is having on your children.

4. Anxiety Relief

1 in 20 children struggles with anxiety and depression, especially in their adolescent years. If you thought that the benefits of a dance class were over, you’re mistaken.

Another one of the fantastic health benefits of dance is a reduction in anxiety and depression. It’s been proven that music helps people and can be used as a form of therapy.

When you combine music with dance, you’ve got the ultimate therapeutic experience for your child. Instead of thinking about the things that cause their anxiety, they allow the music to take them away and feel each movement their body is making.

Dance is a wonderful way to lose and find yourself at the same time, all without having to utter a single word.

5. Cognitive Ability

How does dance strengthen a child’s cognitive abilities, you might be wondering? When you’re dancing or learning a routine, you’ve got to focus on various aspects.

You’ve got to learn the different techniques used in the dances and learn to feel the beat and count the steps. Dancing improves cognitive abilities because your child is constantly thinking and committing these dance moves to memory.

Dance helps to strengthen a child’s creative thinking, remembering, ordering, and much more. As your child continues to dance, you’ll find that they begin to use the cognitive skills they’ve learned in class and apply them to other areas like science or studying for a test.

6. A Source of Fun

Life happens, and as adults, we know this to be true. Children spend time running between school and other obligations that they have every day. Sometimes, children forget to be children.

And if there is one thing children should never forget, it is how to have fun. The last benefit we want to talk about is having fun and a dance class (more specifically, a hip hop class ) is the perfect way to achieve that.

What child doesn’t love dancing to music with their friends? Even if your child or the other children aren’t the best dancers, it’s about more than that. It’s about allowing kids to have fun doing something that they love to do.

Dance classes are the perfect way to remind your kids that they have to be children. And being a child means taking the time to have fun and take a break from homework and doing chores.

Hip Hop Dance: Breaking Down the Benefits

Hip hop dance was created way back when, but it stills has tons of benefits even today. Hip hop gets your child moving to the beat with exercise and can help them step out of their comfort zone and talk to other kids from other walks of life.

These benefits are sure to help your child as they continue to grow and develop into young adults.

If you’re looking for a place to let your child flourish, contact us  now. We know dance and certainly have the tools and experience to help your child learn too.

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Rap Music and the Empowerment of Today’s Youth: Evidence in Everyday Music Listening, Music Therapy, and Commercial Rap Music

• Published: 16 November 2012
• Volume 30 , pages 139–167, ( 2013 )

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• Raphael Travis Jr. 1  

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Pioneers of various elements of Hip-Hop culture have been empowered through the ability to voice their reality and find a meaningful identity alongside others who found purpose and function in embracing Hip-Hop culture (Chang, Can’t stop won’t stop: A history of the hip-hop generation, 2005 ). This empowerment persists in various reinventions of the culture within the United States and worldwide. The present study examines whether evidence exists in research to support the value of esteem, resilience, growth, community and change as empowering dimensions outlined in the individual and community empowerment framework. Research questions ask: (1) Does youth self-expression in rap music created within music therapy sessions reflect framework dimensions? (2) Does content in commercially recognizable rap music reflect framework dimensions? (3) How well does the framework align with a model of empowerment-based positive youth development? First, data collected to examine the validity of the framework were reviewed. Next, two peer-reviewed research studies published after articulation of the original framework, were examined to investigate commonality between themes and framework dimensions. One study was in a music therapy context and another explored themes in commercial Hip-Hop recordings. Original framework data supports theorizing that rap music content actually comprises developmental narratives (Travis and Deepak, 2011 ; Travis and Bowman, 2012 ). Data in the present study further suggest that these developmental narratives are relevant for Hip-Hop in every day music engagement, in therapeutic self-expression, and within commercially available musical content. Framework dimensions also aligned with a conceptual model of positive youth development that allows specification of intervention pathways and empirically testable outcomes for Hip-Hop integrated change strategies. Results suggest that rap music is a discourse in lifespan development. Rap music’s developmental narratives may be used by practitioners, parents and researchers. The narratives exist within a framework and model that (a) provides a template for better understanding these narratives and (b) positions this understanding for use as a tool to promote and research positive change strategies for individuals and the communities that they value.

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Travis, R. Rap Music and the Empowerment of Today’s Youth: Evidence in Everyday Music Listening, Music Therapy, and Commercial Rap Music. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 30 , 139–167 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-012-0285-x

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3 Health Benefits of Hip-Hop Dance Lessons

by Carolina Dance Capital | Sep 20, 2021 September 2nd, 2021 | Recreational & Competitive Dance Blog

There are many reasons to try dance lessons, whether as a way to learn an art form or simply to gain a fun new hobby. However, one of the most compelling reasons to start dancing is because it can benefit your health. Our team at Carolina Dance Capital has extensive experience in all kinds of dance, and we can attest that it is a great way to stay healthy. In this article, we’ll focus on hip-hop dance lessons in particular and go over three of the health benefits that they can provide.

• Cardio Exercise- Hip-hop is a style of dance characterized by bouncing and rocking movements, and it is typically performed to music with a tempo on the faster side. This means that hip-hop dance lessons are a great source of cardio exercise and can therefore help strengthen the heart as well as reduce the risk of blood clots, strokes, or other heart problems. Enrolling your child in hip-hop lessons can help them form life-long exercise habits that will help them stay healthy well into adulthood.
• Strength Exercise- In addition to working the heart, hip-hop dance lessons will also work the other muscles of the body, especially those of the thighs, calves, and abdominal core. Strengthening these muscles has long-term benefits for one’s overall health, and encouraging your child to begin these activities will set them up for later health success.
• Lung Capacity- Besides getting the heart pumping, hip-hop dance lessons also engage the lungs. The muscles need a lot of oxygen in order to keep up with the steady pace of movement, and the lungs will expand more and more in order to provide that supply. Regular hip-hop lessons can improve your child’s lung capacity, which in turn will make other types of exercise easier as well.
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Why hip hop should be used to teach

Lecturer in Education Studies, University of East London

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What comes to mind when you hear the term hip hop education? I’d imagine that the vast majority of people would picture young people learning how to write rhymes, break dance, graffiti or DJ. Sounds like fun, right? And certainly, many people do join these traditional “hip hop classes” for various reasons including self-expression, increased fitness, a better social life, and professional development in the performing arts.

But hip hop is starting to be used in schools and in the community in much more creative and diverse ways than this. In the US there is a growing movement of hip hop education in both formal and informal education settings. For example, Minnesota’s High School for Recording Arts , established in 1998, has been dubbed “Hip Hop High”.

Hip hop informs more than what is actually taught at this particular school. Emery Petchauer, associate professor of urban education at Oakland University in the US, explains that its principles are embedded in all facets of the school, including its management. Like hip hop music – which samples other songs to create new, almost patchwork tracks – such a style of management emphasises the benefits of picking and choosing ideas from other educational systems, rather than sticking to a rigid formula. The school calls its advisers “adult allies”, for example, an idea that originated elsewhere.

This philosophy is also seen in the work of Christopher Emdin, founder of the global movement #HipHopEd , a forum in which hip hop educators communicate, share ideas and resources, as well as challenge and support each other. Emdin’s partnership with Wu Tang Clan’s GZA offers children from urban communities a more accessible way into science education via his Science Genius programme, in which students prepare for and engage in Science Genius Battles to showcase both their knowledge of science and their rhyming skills.

So hip hop education can take shape in different ways. I, for example, have used hip hop in a very different way in London workshops I run. These aim to build attendees’ confidence in articulating matters of importance.

One particular workshop, for example, facilitates learning and development through critically engaging with sociological concepts primarily via rap music, rap videos, artefacts and dialogue which will later inspire their own contribution to performing a rap or spoken word. Participants for these particular events include girls and young women aged 11-21 from South Asian communities affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), honour killings and forced marriage. The workshop is part of a wider programme to prepare the participants to meet with their local council as advocates.

Wider issues

Hip hop education also provides a brilliant way into political and cultural discussions. Consider how often hip hop has been in the international news of late. Beyoncé , for example, is regularly praised for demonstrating how such issues can be taught along with hip hop.

Her activism really got going with the release of “Formation”, a song that narrates some of the struggles and politics of southern African-Americans, and which resonated with the African diaspora at large. It begins with the question: “What happened to New Orleans?” supported by images of flooding, moving onto critiques of the US treatment of their African-American citizens and black women’s role in taking action for social change.

Here Beyoncé, as hip hop has always done, gives voice to the marginalised – this time, in the mainstream. Her performance at the Super Bowl , with backing dancers dressed in Black Panther styled clothing, made a bold statement of unapologetic blackness that resulted in much debate.

The subsequent release of the album Lemonade prompted some educators and academics to create a syllabus that draws from a variety of sources to look at the various tensions, politics, experiences that apply to women of the said community. The music section and film section the syllabus has some representation of hip hop, such as Queen Latifah’s Unity and the film Set It Off .

Given all this, I would say hip hop and education work together beautifully. The debates that hip hop taps into are perfectly placed in order to provide relevant content and methods in contemporary urban education. They touch on many issues concerning matters of importance to marginalised communities. These issues are far ranging, from police brutality to discourse around representation and misrepresentation.

So don’t be alarmed if your children come home with homework set to learn the lyrics of a hip hop song in preparation for their next class – it will be about much more than entertainment.

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10 Surprising Benefits of Hip Hop Dancing You Might Not Know

Hip-hop is a fun and fast-paced dance style. However, there is more to it than learning new moves in choreography classes .

Did you know that hip-hop can lower your blood pressure? It’s one of the many benefits of learning to pop and lock. Read on to learn more about the benefits of hip-hop dance.

What Are the Benefits of Hip Hop Dancing?

Dancing can boost your mood , improve your self-esteem, and help with anxiety. It’s also a great full-body cardio workout that can help you develop strength, improve heart health, and achieve a healthy weight.

What is hip-hop dance? Hip-hop is a style of dancing inspired by different street dance movements. Because it’s fast-paced and uses a wide range of movements, there are several health benefits of hip-hop dance.

What are the benefits of hip-hop dance? Read on to learn more.

Better Cardiovascular Health

Hip-hop dancing is a great aerobic exercise. This form of exercise increases your heart rate, helps you release endorphins , and eliminates waste from your system.

Improved Flexibility

Due to the wide range of moves used in hip-hop dancing, a weekly dance class can help you build muscles and improve joint and tendon health.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

The anaerobic benefits of vigorous exercise include boosting neurotransmitter activity. Studies suggest that 20 minutes of aerobic exercise is enough to help with depression and anxiety.

Increases Confidence

What are the health benefits of hip-hop dancing? An often overlooked benefit is that dancing can increase your confidence through learning a new skill .

Improves Cognitive Abilities

Researchers believe that exposure to dance and music can support cognitive development in children. Hip-hop is also an excellent form of exercise for improving motor skills.

Enhances Social Skills

Learning to follow directions in class and interacting with other dancers is a fun way to develop your social skills.

Strengthens Your Bones

Dancing is a high-impact weight-bearing exercise that promotes stronger bones. It can help those at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Helps Promote Teamwork

Physical activities like team sports have positive repercussions at work and school since they help you become a team player. Working on group choreographies and progressing with other dancers is a great way to learn about teamwork.

Weight Management

What are the benefits of dancing hip hop? Hip-hop will tone your body like never before. A typical hip-hop class is a fast-paced, sweaty, and challenging workout. Moving to the beat is a great way to sweat off that excess weight.

Depending on the intensity of a dance workout, you can burn five to ten calories per minute.

Overall Physical Fitness

What are the other health benefits of hip-hop dancing? Hip-hop can improve your overall physical fitness by improving your flexibility, muscle tone, cardiovascular health, and mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of hip-hop dancing? Read on to learn more about the many health benefits of this cultural movement.

How Does Hip Hop Dance Heal and Help the Mind?

Hip-hop is a fun way to express yourself. It’s an art form that allows you to share your feelings and negative emotions. You’ll also find that hip-hop crews are in a very supportive and positive environment. Once you learn how to dance hip-hop, you’ll find that you look forward to this weekly workout.

What Are the Social Benefits of Hip Hop?

There is a strong social element to hip-hop. Dancers often learn from each other and challenge each other.

How Can Dance Benefit Us Emotionally?

Dance can help release endorphins and stimulate neurotransmitter activity. Plus, it’s a fun and accessible way to express yourself.

How Does Hip Hop Affect Society?

Hip-hop appeared in the mid-70s. It quickly became a popular art form for teens and young adults. Hip-hop dancing has brought street dance styles into mainstream culture and motivated generations of dancers to challenge themselves with new moves.

Why Should You Take Private Hip Hop Dance Classes?

Hip-hop dance classes are a great way to make new friends, stay active, and develop new skills while doing something you enjoy. You’ll get the most out of learning to dance hip-hop if you work with an experienced instructor who can guide you on this journey.

Are You Excited To Reap the Benefits of Hip Hop Dancing?

Now that you know the answer to “What are the benefits of hip-hop dancing?” Hip-hop can be a fun and exciting way to get in shape, boost your mood, and develop a wide range of skills. You can look into how to join hip-hop classes to explore everything hip-hop has to offer or find out more about dance class prices near me to get started.

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