Τhe Effect of a Traditional Dance Program on Health-Related Quality of Life as Perceived by Primary School Students

Abstract

Physical exercise is acknowledged to play a highly significant role in human health and life quality. The concept “Quality of Life” (QoL) refers to many parameters, including the individual's physical condition, psychological status, level of independence, social relationships and interaction with the environment. Participating in dance activities, and more particularly in traditional dances, can significantly increase one’s physical and psychological well-being, and therefore improve their QoL.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there are differences in the way Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is perceived by fifth and sixth graders of two public primary schools attending two different programs: a) program focused on traditional dance and b) program implemented within the context of the Physical Education curriculum as provided by the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.

According to the results of the research, the traditional dance intervention program presented higher perceived HRQoL values in six of the eight dimensions of the Kidscreen-52 Questionnaire, these dimensions being "Health", "Mood", "Self-perception", "Friends", "School-Learning" and "Self & Others". The most highly statistically significant difference was found for the "Health" dimension.

In conclusion, traditional dance offers multiple benefits to participants, since it is an enjoyable physical activity contributing to the improvement of many QoL-related factors.