Effects of virtual dance exercise on skeletal muscle architecture and function of community dwelling older women

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of virtual dance exercise on skeletal muscle architecture and function in community-dwelling older women. METHODS: Forty-two moderately active older women participated in this study and chose to join either the control group (CG; n=20; 70.3 ± 5.6 years) or exercise group (EG; n=22; 69.3 ± 3.7 years). Participants in the CG maintained their lifestyle and those in the EG performed group dance exercise using Dance Central game for Xbox 360® and Kinect for 40 min, 3 times/week, for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were: ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion peak torque (PT), medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MT), fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle (PA). The secondary outcomes were: lower limbs range of motion (ROM), calf circumference (CC), 6 m customary gait speed, and handgrip strength. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA mixed model test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: EG participants improved plantar flexion PT at 60º/s (16.3%; p<0.01), MT (8.7%; p<0.01) and ankle dorsiflexion ROM (5.1%; p=0.04) when compared to baseline, and exhibited enhanced CC values compared to CG (1.7%; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual dance exercise can be recommended to increase muscle mass. Moreover, ankle plantar flexion strength and dorsiflexion ROM gains may contribute to improve functionality and fall avoidance in moderately active older women.