By Larry Caves and Kaye West

One can find a multitude of sites on the internet which document the many benefits of dancing including some which involve empirical research studies. Below is a sampling of such articles in no particular order, most of which relate to partnership dancing. Benefits include those in the physical, mental, social, and emotional realms. The links are searchable (use your "back" button to return to this site), and each has a short annotation.

Collectively, dancing is an activity which few other activities can rival for the benefits it provides! Additionally, partnership dancing, in contrast with some of the other forms of dancing, can be enjoyed from childhood continuously through the senior years. Simultaneously, it builds community, including when multiple generations dance together.

• Prudential website: “10 Health Benefits of Dancing.”
“Ten great reasons to keep dancing (even if you think you’re uncoordinated or an amateur).” Includes references to some scholarly journals.

• Healthline article “8 Benefits of Dance”
Medically-reviewed information includes the statement “whether you’re 80 years young or 8 years old, engaging in physical activities that involve dance changes you.”

• Health Benefits of Dance: “12 Reasons Dancing Your Butt Off Is the Most Badass Mind-Body Workout”
This medically-reviewed article cites the main benefits of dancing for health, and includes the statement from a fitness trainer that “In my opinion, there is no better workout than dance.”

• Open Access Government article, “What Are the Benefits of Dancing?”
Article by Dr. Deborah Lee which includes references to research studies, suggests dancing “may well be the secret of eternal youth,” … so “Before you say you have two left feet, let me say it doesn’t matter! If dancing was easy all the dance teachers would be out of a job! It doesn’t matter how good you are, it just matters how much you enjoy it…”

• From the National Library of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information), “Physical Benefits of Dancing for Healthy Older Adults: A Review” in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.
This article provides a concise abstract of the results of literature examined and links to ten articles concerning the value of mostly partnership dancing for the elderly.

• From the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, “Social Dancing to Improve Cognition, Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk”
Report of a research study comparing measurable results from MRIs and other tests to assess executive brain function, and concluded that “Social dancing may be a safe, enjoyable, and effective alternative to traditional physical exercise for preventing cognitive decline and reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”

• Stanford University Dance article “Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter, Longer.”
Richard Powers summarized an article in the New England Journal of Medicine which involved a 21-year study of senior citizens 75 years old or better. They examined physical and cognitive activities and their effects to reduce the risk of dementia. Dancing frequently (76%), which involves “making hundreds of spit-second decisions” was the only physical activity and the greatest activity of all the cognitive and physical activities studied which produced risk reduction of dementia. Doing crossword puzzles four days a week came in second (47%), and reading (35%) coming in third. “Dance as much as you can. More is better… and do it now, the sooner the better…”

• Medical Life Sciences News reports “Is Dancing Good for the Brain?”
Yes! It reduces depression symptoms, supports motor, emotional, and intellectual brain functions, boosts memory, and stimulates nerve growth factors. The article cites five articles include in authoritative journals.

• From the National Library of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information), “Dance on the Brain: Enhancing Intra- and Inter-Brain Synchrony”
The authors postulate a neurocentric definition of dance involving “neurobehavioral processes in seven distinct areas including the sensory, motor, cognitive, social, emotional, rhythmic, and creative.” They examine what they call the Synchronicity Hypothesis of Dance and conclude that engaging in dance increases neural synchrony which “leads to enhanced interpersonal coordination.”

• All Star Studios in Forest Hills, NY, “How Dancing Help[s] Your Children With Brain Development”
This article suggests that dancing improves brain health, increases mental capacity, enhances motor function, improves memory, and regulates moods in children.

• The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (issue related to neurosciences and music) present “Dance and the Brain: A Review”
This article suggests that “long-term dance training changes both gray and white matter structure” of the brain and summarizes work investigating neural correlates of dance as discovered via observation as well as brain imagery.

• National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, “10 Ways Dance Strengthens the Brain”
Lists 10 ways dance has been shown via scientific studies to make the activity “an effective intervention for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.”

• Inspirational Dancing from Steps On Toes presents “Does Dancing Keep You Young?”
Article features Frankie Manning and his son Chaz, both dancers, who easily looked forty years their junior. Possibly the explanation is a joyful attitude which comes from dancing.

• New York Times article, “Is Dancing the Kale of Exercise?”
“Research shows that dance offers a wealth of anti-aging benefits. It’s also fun.”

• Green Med Info, "The Evidence-based Health Benefits of Dancing Are Numerous and Profound." Dance to stay young, to keep fit, and to be happy. Also note their additional research on the health benefits of dancing on their website.

• Re SYNC Your Life (2017) by Samir Becic
Expert Fitness Trainer Samir Becic cited ten benefits of ballroom dancing (it is uplifting and fun, tones muscles, improves bones and joints, contributes to flexibility, is great brain food, burns fat, is a creative outlet, and promotes conditioning, endurance, and social connectivity). As cited in Healthfitnessrevolution.com (https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-ballroom-dancing/) “Ballroom dancing is a wonderful way for people from all walks of life to get in shape while also releasing their creative juices.”