Greek Dances, Aerobic Dance and Women's Psychological Health State

IntroductionThe benefits of physical activity have been well documented. Regular physical activity has a variety of important consequences (Zullig et al., 2005). Results of the studies continue to support a growing literature suggesting that exercise, physical activity and physical-activity interventions have beneficial effects across several physical and mental-health outcomes (Penedo, & Dahn, 2005). They include reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases for people of all ages and decreasing psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress (Lollgen et al., 2009). Minhyun et al. (2015) suggest that doing regular physical activity is vital as it promotes physical and psychological well-being.In addition to physical and psychological benefits, physical activity has a positive impact on developing social relationships (McAuley et al., 2006), as well as enhancing perceptions of self-mastery and self-efficacy (Stewart et al., 2007). Participants in physical activity show better health outcomes, including better general and health-related quality of life, better functional capacity and better mood states (Penedo, & Dahn, 2005).Mood is an integral component of everyday life. Mood has been defined as a pervasive, global set of affective states that influences a broad range of thought processes and behaviour. Moods alter our affective, cognitive, and behavioural responses. They also inform us about our general state of being and reflect our appraisal of our life circumstances (Berger, 1996; Mayer, & Hanson, 1995). Mood is related to psychological well-being as evidenced by an individual's general level of enjoyment, self-concept, and subjective well-being, can alter general behavior patterns, and influences physical health (Cohen, & Rodriguez, 1995; Thayer, 1996). Stress, from the other hand, occurs within the individual and results in both psychological and somatic undesirable symptoms (Berger, 1994).Thus, the purpose of the present study is to address this issue to women's psychological health, by examining the mood states and anxiety after the intervention of two exercise modes: Greek dances and aerobic dance. Moreover, the present study examines whether the participation in one bout of Greek dances and aerobic dance affect with the same way and on the same direction women's psychological health.MethodSubjects. Fifty four (54) healthy women were selected randomly and participated in the study voluntarily. Subjects' age ranged from 21 to 55 years. The subjects were divided randomly in two groups: group A and group B. Before the study, the subjects of group A had participated in an aerobic dance program three times per week, while the subjects of group B had participated in a program for learning and performing Greek dances once per week. All the subjects underwent medical control so that it could be certified that they do not suffer from any cardiovascular or other disease, and additionally they answered a questionnaire about any other possible health problems.Scales of Measurement. The abbreviated version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS; McNair et al., 1971), proposed by Shacham (1983), was used as a measure of Tension/Anxiety, Depression/Dejection, Anger/Hostility, Vigor/Activity, Fatigue/Inertia, Confusion/Bewilderment, and Total Mood Disturbance. The rigorous psychometric properties of the 65-item original questionnaire seem to be well preserved in this 37-item easier-to-administer form (Grove, & Prapavessis, 1992). Five additional items were included, measuring Exhilaration. POMS were completed about 5 min before and after the aerobic dance and Greek dances performance.Moreover, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, (SAI; Spielberger et al., 1970), was used, for the measurement of anxiety. All subjects completed the 20-item trait anxiety subscale, SAI-Y2, for trait anxiety measurement once, just about 5 min before the aerobic dance and Greek dances performance. …