Hi! I am Dr. Bruce Dan. Waltzing or any kind of dancing for that matter takes some skill. So people with too left feet like me usually stay off the dance floor.
But a recent study shows that actually stepping out there can lead to healthier heart. In an Italian study, several dozen men and women who had a history of a heart failure took part in an exercise program. They did it for three times a week consisting of cycling and walking on a treadmill and continued it for two months.
Another group danced, alternating between slow five minute waltzes and fast three minute waltzes for the same two months period. There was an improvement in the oxygen use a measure of cardiac fitness in the exercise group.
What surprising is not only was there an improvement in oxygen use among the dancers, the level of improvement in the dancers was equal to or better than that of the exercisers.
The researchers say that any type of dancing will do not just waltzing. So whether it's dancing or an exercise program, the key is sticking with it. So if you hate treadmills and tread the gym, change your sneakers to dancing shoes and give it a spin. Making Rounds, I'm Dr. Bruce Dan.
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