The review of studies confirms the benefits of this pleasant activity
Losing weight can be a challenge, but finding fun and effective ways to burn calories, like dancing, can make the process much more enjoyable and sustainable.
A recently published systematic review of scientific studies shows that, in addition to being fun, dancing can actually help you lose weight if the practice is combined with a calorie deficit.
Dancing helps burn fat
The work, which appears in the scientific journal PLOS Oneanalyzed ten different studies on the effects of dance interventions on the body composition of overweight or obese people.
Researchers found that dancing contributed to significant improvements in body weight, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, fat percentage and fat mass.
According to the authors, who are from Xiangtan University of Science and Technology, China, “due to its high efficiency and increased sense of pleasure, dancing may be a beneficial intervention for fat loss.”
Stronger heart and muscles
There are a few reasons why dancing is an effective tool for losing weight. First, like all forms of physical activity, it burns calories.
Additionally, the dynamic nature of dance means it involves multiple muscle groups, promoting muscle development (lean mass). This is great for anyone hoping to achieve sustainable weight loss, as muscle is a metabolically active tissue: greater muscle mass causes the body to burn more calories each day, even at rest.
Finally, the pleasure and social benefits of dancing may increase adherence to physical activity. As a result, the chances of continuing the practice are greater, which will result in sustained weight loss.
How intense is it necessary to dance to promote weight loss? One recommendation is to move so that you don’t have enough breath to sing or talk while dancing.
You also need to change your diet
It’s worth mentioning that while it’s a great tool to help you lose weight, dancing alone won’t be enough for most overweight or obese people. You also need to make changes to your diet and pay attention to your total calorie consumption to promote a deficit that allows you to burn fat.
If you need to lose weight and have decided that dancing is the ideal exercise for you, the first step is to choose a dance style that really makes you want to move.
Some styles may be better for improving conditioning, while others may make your muscles work harder. The important thing is to choose the dance you like most and practice it regularly.
Finally, don’t forget that it’s always a good idea to start slowly, to avoid injury, stay hydrated and warm up well before sessions, as well as getting enough rest between sessions.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
