1. Ballroom dancing A RISKY ACTIVITY?

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Ballroom dancing: a risky activity? RESULTS: MHRd / TMHR depending on type of dance ROCKWALTZ 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.