The effects of dance education on motor performance of children

Abstract

This research has been aimed to demonstrate the effects of dance education on preadolescent children. A total of 114 students (56 of whom in dance group/58 in control group) at preadolescent (aged 11±.0 year) and adolescent (aged 14±.0 year) stages participated in the research. Prior to dance classes a variety of tests ranging from motor performance tests, flexibility (sit and reach), dynamic balance (anterior/posterior and medial/lateral), strength (vertical jump and long jump), acceleration (10 m), speed (30 m), coordination (hexagon test) and agility (changing the line test) were conducted. It has been clearly demonstrated that dance education plays an important role on motor development of preadolescent and adolescent children, and comparisons between groups have indicated that children receiving dance education elicit a better line of development. © 2011 Academic Journals.