The Comparative Research On The Effects Of Walking And The Square Dance On Middle-aged Women

Purpose Based on the many data of research on walking and the square dance.this thesis shows the key functions of the two exercises and common conditions of the people who regularly take part in those activities. In this research, the changes of several physical indicators demonstrate that it would be benefited for body and mind to participate these two exercises. This research tried to monitor physical indicators and compared the effects of the two activities on participants in order to analyze the influence on human body. Therefore, indications and suggestions could be given when suitable exercise plans and schedules need to be customized for middle-aged women.Method Former literature, survey and data comparison are used to finish this research. The object we chose is two groups of total 40 women whose ages are distributed between [45,50]. They have taken part in those two exercises for more than one year. We monitored their physical indicators along the procedure and compare the effects of the both activities.Result The mean values of vital capacity of people who take parting in walking and the square dance are 2049.200ml and 2169.451ml, respectively. Agility index are 0.617s and 0.546s, flex index are 12.945cm and 16.435cm, respectively. These differences are very significant. Back strength values are 58.100kg and 70.100kg. Values of scapular skinfold thickness are 18.230mm and 18.051mm, respectively. These differences are significant. For the indexes of bone mineral density and content are not, the differences are not significant. For the grip strength and strength of the other parts of body, there are no differences.Conclusion:1. According to the agility index, two groups of people showed slightly better scores when participating in the square dance in comparison with walking. This demonstrated that the ability to react to stimuli would be improved effectively when people take parting in the square dance in a long term.2. For the back strength, two groups of people showed better scores when participating in the square dance in comparison with walking, which demonstrated that back strength would be improved effectively when people take parting in the square dance in a long term. Thus, this would prevent lumbar spine injuries and disorders.3. According to the flex index, two groups of people showed better scores when participating in the square dance in comparison with walking, which demonstrated that the square dance could not only help working the muscles and tendons, but also improve the elasticity, extensibility and flexibility of the ligaments, which would reduce the possibility of injuries of daily work and workout.4. For the vital capacity, two groups of people showed better scores when participating in the square dance in comparison with walking, which demonstrated that to do the square dance would help to burn the body fat, reduce the body weight and stimulate human circulatory and respiratory system and improve their functions.5. For the scapular skinfold thickness, two groups of people showed better scores when participating in the square dance in comparison with walking, which demonstrated that the square dance will help to keep fit and improve the body status, especially for the chest, waist and hip part.