November 20, 2006 – People with heart failure now have a new way to strengthen their sick heart: the waltz. A more enjoyable activity than exercising on a treadmill or on a stationary bicycle!
Italian researchers have found that people with heart failure improve their muscle resistance, their cardiopulmonary health and their general condition by waltzing for about 20 minutes, three times a week.
110 patients were recruited for this eight-week study. Of these, three times a week, 44 participated in aerobic exercises and 44 danced, alternating between fast three-minute waltzes and slow five-minute waltzes, for sessions lasting 21 minutes. The others, who did not do any physical activity, served as a control group.
The cardiopulmonary health of the 88 patients who exercised similarly improved, when compared to that of the patients who did not participate in any physical activity.
The researchers also found that the arteries of the patients in the “waltz” group had also become more elastic than those of the other participants. This would confer increased protection against arteriosclerosis, which predisposes to cardiovascular disorders.
Physical activity is essential for people recovering from cardiovascular problems. The researchers point out, however, that 70% of patients who enroll in an exercise program abandon it sooner or later. They say this is less likely to happen with a fun and entertaining activity like waltz.
The results of this study were made public at a recent American Heart Association conference in Chicago.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to theAssociated Press.
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