Greek Traditional Dances and Health Effects for Middle-Aged and Elderly People- A Review Approach

Eir. Argiriadou

Greek traditional dances are an integral part in Greek people’s lives, treated as a cultural element. Recently, many middle-aged and elderly people participate in programs of Greek traditional dances due to internal and external motivation, but mainly for health improvement. From the literature review it became clear that, indeed, Greek traditional dances incorporate effects and benefits for all the health dimensions, that is physical/somatic, psychological, mental and social health effects. These beneficial effects on middle-aged and elderly people’s health may be due to the features of Greek traditional dances. These are the music accompaniment, the fact that Greek traditional dances constitute an aerobic exercise mode, the rhythmical and repetitive movements, the hemicyclic dance shape, the variety of the performed steps, movements and dance directions, the absence of competition, the enjoyment/pleasure that helps the participants to escape from their problems. Consequently, all the middle-aged and elderly people should participate in Greek traditional dances in order to achieve positive physical, psycho-emotional and social effects, leading to health achievement.