Ballroom

dancingA RISKY ACTIVITY?

Ballroom dancing: a risky activity?

The ongoing progression of accidents and sudden deaths

in dance halls shows an increasing interest in dancing and

an aging population interested in this activity.

This drove me to test the intensity of efforts in order to be

able to give effective advice to current and future

dancers.

© Dr. Richard MONIN

Ballroom dancing: a risky activity?

AVERAGE AGE of PARTICIPANTS = 60 + - 20

Theoretical Maximum Heart Rate (TMHR) = 220 - AGE

PERCENTAGE of Maximum Heart Rate while dancing

(MHRd) / TMHR = 78 + - 31%

AVERAGE TIME of MHRd during the ACTIVITY

= 75 to 100% of activity duration

© Dr. Richard MONIN

From left to right:

WALTZ: 81 + - 21% of MHRd

POPULAR WALTZ: 62 + - 3% of MHRd

RUMBA: 62 + - 3% of MHRd

SAMBA: 78 + - 4% of MHRd

JIVE: 80 + - 15% of MHRd

TANGO : 60 + - 29% of MHRd

ZOUK : 74 + - 14% of MHRd

ROCK : 86 + - 28% of MHRd

MHRd for EACH TYPE of DANCE

© Dr. Richard MONIN

Ballroom dancing: a risky activity?

RESULTS:

MHRd / TMHR depending on type of

dance

No surprise : ROCK and WALTZ

are the most demanding types of

dance. Waltz is more intense for

women as they cannot dance

more than two waltz in a row, or

they will exceed the TMHR and

reach an average of 103%...

© Dr. Richard MONIN

Conclusions

BALLROOM DANCING REPRESENTS AN INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

INDEED IT CAN BE QUITE RISKY FOR PATIENTS WHO DO NOT KNOW

THEY ARE ILL, PARTICULARLY IF OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS SMOKING,

GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS OR STRESS ARE ADDED. FOR

EXAMPLE, STRESS CAN ARISE WITH A NEW DANCING PARTNER OR

WHEN DANCING IN FRONT OF AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE.

© Dr. Richard MONIN

Precautions

AS BALLROOM DANCING MAY BE DANGEROUS, REGULAR DANCERS

SHOULD SEE A DOCTOR IF THEY FEEL BREATHING DIFFICULTIES,

PALPITATIONS OR CHEST PAINS.

ALSO, BEGINNERS SHOULD ASK THEIR DOCTOR FOR ADVICE,

ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE TREATED FOR HYPERTENSION…

© Dr. Richard MONIN

© Dr. Richard MONIN

For more information:

Dr. R. MONIN : Les Danses de

Société sont-elles une activité à

risque ?

Évaluation à partir d'une

population de danseurs.

- Collège des Cardiologues

Français : Cannes 2002.

- Cardinale : Stress et affections

CV : 2002.