INTRODUCTION: Anxiety is a common diagnosis found in elderly and is commonly associated with breathing abnormalities. Associated with aging, it is also found a sedentary lifestyle, which is an important risk factor for diseases. The practice of regular physical activities improves anxiety and cardiorespiratory condition. Between the types of physical activities, dance stands out as a good option for elderly. OBJECTIVE: To describe the influence of regular dance on anxiety and respiratory parameters of elderly dancers when compared with sedentary elders. METHODOLOGY: Were evaluated 18 elders, divided into two groups: dancers (G1 group) and sedentary (G2 group). In G1 and G2 groups it was applied the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, cirtometry, spirometry and manovacuometry, in addition of the questionnaire of Baecke modified to elders, only for the group G2, in order to ensure the sedentary lifestyle of the participants. Descriptive statistics were used to synthesize the data. RESULTS: The participants in group G1 had higher values in relation of state-anxiety and maximal expiratory pressure. Cirtometry at basal level was higher in participants of group G1, while the xiphoid level was greater in group G2. All participants had spirometry values within the normal ranges, with no differences between groups. CONCLUSION: We observed on elders who practice dance regularly lower level of trait-anxiety, appropriate values of maximal expiratory pressure and higher values on cirtometry at basal level.
Anxiety; Breath; Elders; Dance
