Why is dancing good for the brain

How dance improves and enhances cognitive function

Aging brings about natural changes in our brains, much like it does in other parts of our bodies. As our muscles and joints start to ache and we tire more quickly, our brains also experience the effects of aging. Many people find that their ability to recall facts diminishes and words often seem to escape them.

Overworking has also been suggested to have an eventual negative impact on cognitive function, inducing Mild Cognitive Impairment, thus resulting in:

• Challenges with planning and reasoning
• Difficulty focusing
• Memory lapses

So how can rhythmic dances help mitigate and address cognitive risks?

Positron Emission Tomography imaging studies have identified specific brain regions that contribute to learning and performing dance. These areas are the cerebellum, somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, and basal ganglia. The motor cortex is essential for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.

Located in the middle of the brain, the somatosensory cortex oversees motor control and eye-hand coordination. The basal ganglia, a cluster of structures deep inside the brain, work alongside other brain areas to coordinate smooth movement. The cerebellum processes input from both the brain and spinal cord, aiding in the planning of intricate and refined motor actions.

While certain imaging studies have identified the brain regions activated by dance, others have focused on how dance’s physical and expressive components impact brain function.

1) Dancing reduces risk to dementia

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine conducted a study which discovered that dance can notably boost brain health. This study explored the impact of leisure activities on dementia risk among the elderly.

In their study, the researchers evaluated 11 types of physical activities, including golf, cycling, tennis and swimming. They found that only dance reduced participants’ risk of dementia. They attributed this to the mental effort and social interaction involved in dancing, which helps mitigate the risk of dementia.

2) Therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease

Dance has such positive effects on the brain that it is now used to treat individuals with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological movement disorder.

“There’s no question, anecdotally at least, that music has a very stimulating effect on physical activity and I think that applies to dance, as well,” says Daniel Tarsy, Professor in Neurology and Director, Parkinson’s Disease Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Harvard Medical School.

More than one million individuals in this country are managing Parkinson’s disease, with an annual diagnosis rate of 60,000, as reported by the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

Belonging to a group of motor-system disorders, Parkinson’s disease emerges from the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Dopamine plays a critical role in governing movement and coordination. As Parkinson’s advances, the progressive loss of these cells results in a marked reduction in dopamine levels within the brain.

According to specialists, the principal motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease comprise bradykinesia (slowed movement), stiffness in both the trunk, limbs, tremors, and challenges in balance and coordination. These are the symptoms that dance may assist in alleviating.

Various dance genres, are classified as rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS). In this method, patients are exposed to set rhythms and instructed to synchronize their movements accordingly.

Studies assessing the effects of this approach on patients with Parkinson’s or other movement disorders have identified significant improvements in gait and upper extremity function among participants.

3) Enhances Memory and Cognitive Function

Mastering the art of dance requires intense concentration and prolonged, dedicated training sessions. The beauty lies in the fact that any form of practice, whether alone or with peers, yields benefits. Dancing serves as a platform for self-expression and encourages the mind to expand its boundaries.

Optimum memory is required in crafting and grasping an intricate routine. It all begins with deconstructing a sequence into distinct steps to foster optimal learning. Synthesizing these movements into a polished and coordinated performance requires time for the brain. Learning routines exercises both the memory and concentration centers.

Proprioception abilities, cognitive skills, and communication strategies exemplify procedural knowledge. Dancing, where individuals learn by actively engaging, serves as a prime example of this type of knowledge.

The cognitive journey in learning a technique involves the brain shifting from reflective processing through observation or description to the assimilation of cognitive skills essential for dance.

Subsequently, the brain shifts towards devising a strategy for executing the skill, progressing then to a reflexive autonomous phase where the skill becomes second nature, habitual, or ingrained in unconscious memory. Consistent practice fosters long-term motor learning, commonly referred to as “muscle memory,” enabling the brain to divert cognitive capacities to alternative tasks.

4) Boosts concentration and sharpens discipline

Dance encompasses essential factors that naturally augment the brain’s capabilities. The brain stores diverse forms of dance knowledge, each serving its unique role. Comprehending the nature of dance, acquiring proficiency in dance techniques, and understanding the emotional and conceptual dimensions of dance, all contribute to distinct cognitive processes within the brain.

While all high-intensity aerobic exercises enhance blood flow to the muscles and lungs, the concentrated attention demanded in dance training further amplifies blood flow to the brain. Enhanced supplies of oxygen and glucose play a crucial role in promoting brain health.

Furthermore, the swift decision-making inherent in dancing rejuvenates and improves the neural connections facilitating communication between the brain and the body’s muscles.

Those who engage in dance refine their mind-body coordination by harmonizing their movements with rhythm and music. Through the intricate synchronization of steps, body alignment, and timing, dancers cultivate heightened focus and awareness of the present moment.

Success in any form of dancing requires precision and a laser focused mind on detail. Dancers meticulously adhere to aspects such as alignment, posture, timing, and expression. This fosters a disciplined mindset characterized by intense concentration, applicable not only on the dance floor but also in other spheres of life.

Furthermore, dancing can trigger a state of “flow,” characterized by intense concentration and complete absorption in the activity. Dancers in this state are entirely immersed in the present moment, exhibiting peak performance and unwavering focus. Through its blend of physical movement, concentration, and enjoyment, dance serves as a pathway to accessing this heightened state of mental concentration.