Acute Physiological Effects of Greek Traditional Dancing

June 7, 2025 updated by: Dimitrios Draganidis, University of Thessaly

Acute Effects of Greek Traditional Dancing on Health, Performance and Muscle Damage Markers in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: Implications of Dancing Tempo.

In Greece, people of different age groups, including young children to older adults, are involved in traditional dance. To date, the well-know benefits of dancing include entertainment, socialization and increased physical activity. However, the acute effects of Greek traditional dancing on health, physical performance and muscle damage indices remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health-, physical performance-, and muscle damage-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo (slow vs moderate vs fast). In a crossover repeated measures design 10 pre- and 10 post-menopausal women will participate in the three dancing sessions of different tempo in a random order.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study aims at determining the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health- and physical performance-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo. Ten pre- and ten postmenopausal women meeting the inclusion criteria will be assigned to a crossover trial. Initially, participants will undergo baseline testing including (i) anthropometrics, (ii) body composition, (iii) physical performance, (iv) physical activity level and (v) dietary intake. After baseline measurements, a 7-day familiarization period will take place, during which participants will practice daily on the three experimental dances. Each dance will be characterized by a different tempo (beats per minute) so that there will be one dance from each tempo category (i.e. slow, moderate and fast). After familiarization, participants will execute in a random order the three dancing sessions, on separate days. Each dancing session will consist of one dance (of either slow or moderate or fast tempo) lasting ~ 3- 4 minutes. During each dance heart rate, oxygen consumption and activity intensity will be continuously monitored. Before and immediately after the dance systolic and diastolic blood pressure, perceived exertion and blood lactate will be measure. In addition, before each dance and at 24 and 48 hours post-dance muscle soreness, muscle strength and resting metabolic rate will be measured and a resting blood sample will be drawn for the assessment of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Ioannis G Fatouros, PhD
  • Phone Number: 2431047047
  • Email: ifatouros@uth.gr

Study Locations

  • Greece
    • Thessaly
      • Tríkala, Thessaly, Greece, 42100
        • University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
  • Abstain from vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study.
  • Free of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
  • Free of cardiometabolic diseases.
  • Free of mental health disorders
  • No body weight loss >10% over the last 6 months prior to the study
  • Non-smokers

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Perimenopause and menopause women
  • Participation vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study
  • Presence of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
  • Presence of cardiometabolic diseases.
  • Presence of mental health disorders
  • Body weight loss >10% over the last 6 months prior to the study
  • Smokers

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Pre-menopausal women
Pre-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days.
Other: Slow tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of slow tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Other: Moderate tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of moderate tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Other: Fast tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of fast tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Experimental: Post-menopausal
Post-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days.
Other: Slow tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of slow tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Other: Moderate tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of moderate tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Other: Fast tempo
A single Greek traditional dance of fast tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in blood pressure
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a blood pressure cuff
At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in perceived exertion
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Perceived exertion will be rated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, a numerical scale that ranges from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximum effort).
At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in blood lactate
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Blood lactate will be measured on a portable, automatic lactate analyser using the relevant strips
At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in resting metabolic rate
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Resting metabolic rate (kcal) will be assessed using a portable open-circuit indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood system
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in delayed-onset of muscle soreness (DOMS)
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
DOMS of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be evaluated by palpation of the relaxed muscle's belly and distal region with participants rating the perceived soreness on a visual analogue scale ranging from 1 to 10.
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in maximal isometric voluntary contraction
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer.
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in joint range of motion
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Knee joint range of motion will be assessed using a manual goniometer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in functional performance
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Functional performance will be assessed using the movement-based screening tool functional movement screen (FMS)
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in white blood cell count
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
White blood cell count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in granulocyte count
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Granulocyte count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in lymphocytes
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Lymphocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in monocytes
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Monocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in creatine kinase concentration
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Creatine kinase will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer and commercially available kits
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in reduced glutathione
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Reduced glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in oxidized glutathione
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Oxidized glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in catalase activity
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Catalase activity will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in protein carbonyls
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Protein carbonyls will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in total antioxidant capacity
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Total antioxidant capacity will be measured spectrophotometrically in plasma
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in heart rate
Time Frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Heart rate will be continuously monitored using heart rate sensors
Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Change in oxygen consumption
Time Frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Oxygen consumption will be continuously monitored using a portable metabolic system.
Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Change in physical activity
Time Frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
The number of steps performed will be assessed using an accelerometer (ActiGraph Gt3x)
Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in red blood cell count
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Red blood cell count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hematocrit
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Hematocrit will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hemoglobin
Time Frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Hemoglobin will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Thessaly

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Dimitrios Draganidis, PhD, University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 10, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 16, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 14, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 11, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 7, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Greek Dancing-UTH

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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