"It doesn't feel like exercise": a realist process evaluation of factors that support long-term attendance at dance classes designed for healthy ageing

Abby Haynes; Anne Tiedemann; Gail Hewton; Julie Chenery; Catherine Sherrington; Dafna Merom; Heidi Gilchrist

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284272

"It doesn't feel like exercise": a realist process evaluation of factors that support long-term attendance at dance classes designed for healthy ageing

Front Public Health. 2023 Dec 20:11:1284272. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284272. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Abby Haynes^{1

2}, Anne Tiedemann^{1

2}, Gail Hewton³, Julie Chenery⁴, Catherine Sherrington^{1

2}, Dafna Merom⁵, Heidi Gilchrist^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Gold Moves Australia and RIPE Dance, Noosa, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Gold Moves Australia, Moreton Bay, QLD, Australia.
⁵ School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: Dance can positively impact older people's health and wellbeing across cultures and socioeconomic groups, countering age-related physical, sensorimotor and cognitive decline.

Background/objectives: The RIPE (Really Is Possible for Everyone) Dance program aims to improve older people's physical, mental, cognitive and social wellbeing by integrating engaging dance sequences with evidence-based fall prevention exercises. We sought to identify what mechanisms support observed long-term participation in this program, including by people living with challenging health conditions.

Methods: Following a realist evaluation approach, we co-developed and tested program theories iteratively with participant interviewees (n = 20), dance teachers (n = 2) and via observation of a dance class. Initial data were dual-coded and emergent findings were interrogated by the research team. Findings were organised to express Program activities + Context + Mechanism = Process outcomes configurations.

Results: We identified four program theories comprising 14 mechanisms which explained long-term attendance: 1. RIPE Dance benefits my body and mind (trust in the program, belief in health benefits), 2. RIPE Dance helps me feel good about myself (self-efficacy, pride in achievement, psychological safety, defying expectations, feeling valued), 3. RIPE Dance creates camaraderie (social connection, mutual support, rapport with the teacher), and 4. RIPE Dance is uplifting (raised spirits, fun, synchrony, musical reactivity).

Conclusion: The RIPE Dance program provides effective and enjoyable 'exercise in disguise' for older people with diverse mobility profiles.

Significance/implications: This research confirms that participation in dance can contribute significantly to healthy, happy ageing. Findings detail program activities that were most strongly associated with process outcomes, offering guidance for further program development, implementation and scaling up.

Keywords: fall prevention; mechanism; music; older people; physical activity; program adherence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Dancing*
Emotions
Exercise
Happiness
Healthy Aging*
Humans

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by a grant from the Australian Association of Gerontology’s Research Trust RM Gibson Program.