Senior Women's Dance: From Pleasure to Emancipation

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology of Sport
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Aging populations necessitate understanding factors contributing to well-being in later life.
• Social participation and physical activity are crucial for healthy aging.
• Dance as a holistic activity for older adults remains an area for in-depth exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and understand the lived experiences of older adult women participating in dance.
• To investigate how dance influences physical health, mental well-being, and social involvement.
• To analyze dance experiences through the lens of Jürgen Habermas's theory of communicative action.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design utilizing narrative inquiry.
• Study participants were members of the 'Gracje' dance group.
• Analysis focused on models of action and validity claims within participants' narratives.

Main Results:

• Dance participation significantly improved bodily capacity and self-esteem in older adult women.
• Participants realized claims related to pleasure, attractiveness, health, and emancipation through dance.
• The positive effects of dance extended to improved family and neighborly interactions and increased volunteerism.

Conclusions:

• Dance is a valuable activity for older adult women, fostering physical, mental, and social benefits.
• The experience of dance contributes to a sense of agency and improved social integration.
• Dance participation empowers older adults, enabling them to engage more fully in their communities and support vulnerable populations.