Community dance supports older adults’ successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment: a case study

Paglione, Vanessa

Community dance supports older adults’ successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment: a case study

dc.contributor.advisor	Kenny, Sarah J.
dc.contributor.advisor	McDonough, Meghan H.
dc.contributor.author	Paglione, Vanessa
dc.contributor.committeemember	Din, Cari
dc.contributor.committeemember	Bridel, William
dc.date	2022-11
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-14T16:47:35Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-14T16:47:35Z
dc.date.issued	2022-07
dc.description.abstract	Community dance offers a physical, artistic, and social activity led by a dance artist, which encourages participation at any age or skill level. As Canada’s population ages, there is a need to understand programming which may be enjoyable and motivating to participate in and supports numerous aspects of older adults’ lives. Dancing has the potential to support many aspects of health, yet current literature focuses primarily on the physical health benefits of dancing. This thesis examined one specific dance class, striving to gain insight about the holistic benefits related to aging, experiences of physical activity, and embodiment that community dance may offer older adults. The first study included three semi-structured interviews with the dance instructor to explore their perspective on the impact participation in community dance class had on participants, and the pedagogical behaviors used to elicit those benefits when instructing the class. The second study included semi-structured interviews with five older adults to examine their experiences of participating in the community dance class. Collectively, interviews with both the instructor and dancers suggested dancing offered an opportunity for older adults to connect to their own embodiment. Social connection and music were perceived in both studies as essential to the dancing experience. Dance can support feelings of confidence when instructors intentionally strive for participants to experience success. The dance class also offered an opportunity for older adults to connect to their creativity and artistry. Artistry and creativity can positively contribute to one’s psychosocial experiences of physical activity and ability to connect with others. Overall, dancing offers a promising activity that supports older adults in numerous aspects of their lives. Policy that supports funding for and access to facilitates to offer community dance programming is needed.	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Paglione, V. (2022). Community dance supports older adults’ successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment: a case study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.	en_US
dc.identifier.doi	http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39906
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/1880/114839
dc.language.iso	eng	en_US
dc.publisher.faculty	Kinesiology	en_US
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary	en
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.	en_US
dc.subject	Community dance	en_US
dc.subject	Older Adults	en_US
dc.subject	Embodiment	en_US
dc.subject	Physical literacy	en_US
dc.subject	Successful aging	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Dance	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Recreation	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Psychology	en_US
dc.title	Community dance supports older adults’ successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment: a case study	en_US
dc.type	master thesis	en_US
thesis.degree.discipline	Kinesiology	en_US
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary	en_US
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science (MSc)	en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopy	true	en_US