Is dance more beneficial for cognition than any other forms of physical activity?

Physical activity and cognition: What is the link?

Cognition encompasses attention, memory, perception, language, learning, and thinking, all of which are mental processes occurring in the brain. Scientific research has found several ways of improving cognition, including regular exercise which improves brain health (Breijyeh and Karaman, 2020) through multiple mechanisms. One such example is activation of cortical plasticity. This is the brain’s ability to reorganise neural pathways by forming new synaptic connections between neurones. The process of cortical plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, is based on personal experiences, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Research conducted 15 years ago found a close association between physical fitness and cognitive performance in a group of healthy elderly participants (Kattenstroth et al., 2010). Better physical fitness resulted in better cognition, and exercise was found to reduce the risk of cognitive decline (Predovan et al., 2019). This is natural with aging but can be delayed or lessened through regular exercise.

A proposed mechanism responsible for improving cognition and neuroplasticity during exercise is the significant increase in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels in the brain (Müller et al., 2017; Rehfeld et al., 2018). Such neurotrophic factors are important in causing positive influences and have neuroprotective effects (Teixeira-Machado, Arida and De Jesus Mari, 2019).

Dance as a physical activity

Dance is a brilliant form of physical activity, able to elicit cognitive benefits with regular practice. Through dancing, positive structural and/or functional neuroplastic changes occur in the brain (Teixeira-Machado, Arida and De Jesus Mari, 2019) by activating multiple brain regions at once to integrate both auditory and motor information. Several studies found strengthened connectivity between both hemispheres of the brain due to dancing, and improved memory and attention, indicative of its effectiveness in improving plasticity (Teixeira-Machado, Arida and De Jesus Mari, 2019), especially with long-term training.

A study comparing two groups of elderly individuals found superior cognitive performance in the group with multi-year amateur dance experience compared to the control group (Kattenstroth et al., 2010). The dance group exhibited shorter reaction times and better performance in the geriatric concentration test compared to controls.

Alongside the improvements in cognition, dance also leads to a better quality of life by reducing social isolation and positively impacting mood. As an activity dance is commonly undertaken in groups with participants often providing each other with peer-support, coaching and camaraderie, helping form friendships amongst attendees of the dance class even outside of the studio. The close association between dance and music also evokes strong emotional responses, capable of modulating and guiding cognition (Brosch et al., 2013). These effects demonstrate the beneficial effects of dancing on quality of life beyond its physical and cognitive enhancements.

Is dance better than other forms of physical activity?

Engaging in dance may therefore possibly boast additional cognitive benefits to those observed with other, perhaps more traditional, forms of physical activity, such as standard fitness programs. These may not be as stimulating for the brain (Kattenstroth et al., 2013; Müller et al., 2017) which is multisensory and multimodal as it combines acoustic stimulation, rhythmic motor coordination, balance, learning and memory, musical experience, emotions, and social interaction to create an extremely beneficial and enriched environment for participants (Kattenstroth et al., 2010).

Studies conducted on elderly participants have found benefits in those experiencing dance intervention compared to sports intervention. For example, Rehfeld and colleagues (2018) found strengthened connectivity between both brain hemispheres after six-months of dancing, as the execution of movements requires involvement of multiple brain regions. Similarly, two studies found significant increases in BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) levels in healthy, elderly volunteers after six months of dance intervention, but these findings were not observed in the conventional training group (Müller et al., 2017; Rehfeld et al., 2018). BDNF positively affects neuroplasticity, and has a neuroprotective role, such as preservation or improvement in memory; also found with dancing. A study by Rehfeld and colleagues (2017) found additional increases in volume of the hippocampus, the brain structure associated with memory, in the group completing an 18-month long dance intervention. This agrees with the finding of dance improving memory.

These findings are from dance studies only assessing elderly participants, presenting uncertainty when generalising findings to the wider population. Though, the idea that dance training must be long-term and consistent to observe cognitive improvements is applicable to all. Positive changes can only occur in the brain after prolonged dance training, but the duration may vary depending on age. Science has proven children’s brains to be more plastic, meaning they are able to adapt to change and show positive structural and/or functional changes from certain interventions faster than brains of adults/the elderly. This could mean, with regular practice, children may experience the advantageous effects of dancing on both physical and mental health and cognition quicker than those older in age.

Dance and healthcare: What next?

Overall, dance positively affects the brain of individuals from all ages and backgrounds. It is able to benefit cognition on a structural and/or functional level and also improve mood through its affective component. For this reason, dance classes are often socially prescribed to help improve health in a non-pharmacological manner, often as first-line interventions.

The type of dancing may have an impact; a study found Greek elderly people responded positively to a Greek traditional dance program as it related to their tradition, culture, and life experience (Douka et al., 2019). After further research on the cognitive benefits of dance, this finding could be extrapolated for other genres of dance for populations around the world. This would help make dance more accessible and allow more people to benefit from dancing on a global scale, improving their physical fitness, cognition, and wellbeing.

Photo credit: Reel Master Production

About the Author:

I am Shrishti Gandhi, a recent Neuroscience graduate and, currently, an associate artist with Sonia Sabri Company (SSCo). I manage SSCO’s dedicated dance troupe, ‘Kathakaars’, finding regular performance opportunities and also performing as part of the group. Recent professional credits include performing as a dance artist for SSCo, touring with their hit summer production, ‘Mughal Miniatures’, across the UK.

I have a keen interest in writing and combining my knowledge of neuroscience from my degree with my passion for Kathak. As an associate artist, I therefore also research and write about the science of dance and Kathak, using my knowledge and interest in health and dance education to create scientific but accessible entries for audiences of all backgrounds.

References:

Brosch, T. et al. (2013) ‘The impact of emotion on perception, attention, memory, and decision-making’, Swiss Medical Weekly, 143(1920), pp. w13786–w13786. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2013.13786

Breijyeh, Z. and Karaman, R. (2020) ‘Comprehensive Review on Alzheimer’s Disease: Causes and Treatment’, Molecules, 25(24), p. 5789. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245789

Douka, S. et al. (2019) ‘Traditional Dance Improves the Physical Fitness and Well-Being of the Elderly’, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, p. 75. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00075

Kattenstroth, J.-C. et al. (2010) ‘Superior Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Performance in Elderly Individuals with Multi-Year Dancing Activities’, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2, p. 31. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2010.00031

Kattenstroth, J.-C. et al. (2013) ‘Six months of dance intervention enhances postural, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance in elderly without affecting cardio-respiratory functions’, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 5. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2013.00005

Müller, P. et al. (2017) ‘Evolution of Neuroplasticity in Response to Physical Activity in Old Age: The Case for Dancing’, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, p. 56. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00056

Predovan, D. et al. (2019) ‘Effects of Dancing on Cognition in Healthy Older Adults: a Systematic Review’, Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 3(2), pp. 161–167. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0103-2

Rehfeld, K. et al. (2017) ‘Dancing or Fitness Sport? The Effects of Two Training Programs on Hippocampal Plasticity and Balance Abilities in Healthy Seniors’, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, p. 305. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00305

Rehfeld, K. et al. (2018) ‘Dance training is superior to repetitive physical exercise in inducing brain plasticity in the elderly’, PLoS ONE, 13(7), p. e0196636. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196636

Teixeira-Machado, L., Arida, R.M. and De Jesus Mari, J. (2019) ‘Dance for neuroplasticity: A descriptive systematic review’, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 96, pp. 232–240. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.12.010