Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

The key here is "repetitive". It sounds like the repetitive exercise was the exact same cardio + weights routine every day, excluding any coordinative active, while the dance routines were explicitly varied and sound far more interactive.

I don't know enough about the underlying science to really understand the paper at a glance, but it's not surprising that learning a new skill provides beneficial effects. A neat follow up would be to look at what learning a musical instrument with a lower physical fitness requirement than dance does is relationship to a dance routine. Or even something like birding, that requires a moderate amount of walking with increased skills observing the physical environment.

I think this probably (with low confidence, because of the low N and a high dropout rate) answers the question "is dance better for neuroplasticity than walking on a treadmill and stationary bike + repetitive and uncoordinated floor exercises" with a yes, but I'll bet plenty of other activities surpass the repetitive control group as well.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: