Good Lifestyle

When you thinkCardio workoutsRunning or cycling comes in mind. But workouts in dance - yes, even Jane Fonda stuff of the 80s - can be a great way to burn calories and strengthen your heart health, especially if you hitmenopause.

That's right: a new study, published in the newspaperMenopause, suggests that dance could be exactly what the doctor has ordered women over 50 years of living longer and live healthier. More specifically, the study revealed that dance was incredibly effective in improving the physical condition and heart health of older women.

Plot? This is what the study found - and why dance is surprisingly great for older women. And for more exercise Intel, be sure to readA new study says that this exercise will add years to your life.

The small study included 36 post-menopausal women danced three times a week, 90 minutes per session, for 16 weeks. The average age of participating women was 57 years old. Before and after the 16 weeks of dance, all participants had their body composition, their cholesterol levels and other measured statistics. Read more:An incredible trick to burn more fat while walking, says study.

The researchers found that after 16 weeks of dance, women had improved coordination, agility and aerobic capacity. Their self-esteem and self-image has also improved.

But it's not all dancing. According to the authors of the study, 16 weeks of dance also significantly improved the high-density lipoprotein of women (HDL, Alias ​​"Good cholesterol") While lowering their blood triglycerides. (However, they have higher total cholesterol levels.) Basically, other forms of cardio-cardio-isbig enough for your heart. And do not miss:More than 60 years? Here are some of the best cardio exercises for you, says trainer.

These results are a vast victory for older women in a way. According toCenters for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Menopausal women tend to be at a higher risk of cardiac disease, says theAmerican Heart AssociationDue to a variety of factors, including loss of estrogen and increased blood pressure and low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol aliases). So any exercise, like dance, which benefits the heart is an advantage for women.

Moreover, changes in menopause (asLess bone mass) Can affect the balance and strength of women, make them more vulnerable to falls and fractures. Giving priority to exercises that promote balance, coordination and more (you know, dancing) can also help also support women's longevity. Read more:Your new end exercises for the balance and stability you get older.

"This study highlights the possibility of a simple intervention, such as a three-weekly dance class, to improve not only physical form and metabolic profile, but also the self-image and self-esteem of women menopausal, "Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Nams Medical Director,says in a press release.

This is not all you will get from a dance workout. The dance is incrediblyEffective for healthy weight management-As a lot like jogging or cycling, according to this study of theJournal of Physiological Anthropology.Since unwanted weight gain is a common challenge for post-menopausal women (thank you, hormone changes!), Dance could be a good exercise to have in your arsenal.

More recent research has found that dance canImprove memory and health of the brain, especially in the elderly. A study 2021 in the newspaperNeurobiology of learning and memory I found that older seniors who danced for two hours each week had "younger" brains than sedentary adults from a similar age. A 2020Plos aThe study also found that dance can considerably improve the mental health of sedentary women and the quality of life.

So, if you are looking for a new workout to make your heart pump - and you are not a running fan - consider this last study more evidence than you should try to dance. Read more: Secret tips to get a lean body after 50 years, say experts .