Dancing in the dark could have benefits for health and wellbeing

Our researchers partnered with No Lights, No Lycra to explore who regularly attends their nationwide free-form dance events held in the dark, including their motivations and self-reported health benefits. The researchers from the University's Faculty of Medicine and Health found the overwhelming majority of participants in No Lights, No Lycra were women in their mid to late 30s, who didn't meet physical activity guidelines. "The latest national statistics tell us that more than one in two Australians do not get enough physical activity for health, and women are less active than men," said lead author, PhD candidate Bridget Foley. "It's important to look at innovative ways to get more people more active, and understand what it is about unconventional sport and recreational activities which get people, especially women, to change their inactive lifestyles. "No Lights, No Lycra shows how dance can be modified in a real world setting to engage women who aren't regular gym-goers and don't participate in sport regularly." The peer-reviewed study, published today in  BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation ,  surveyed 1190 participants across 52 No Lights, No Lycra locations over a one week period in 2018. Researchers found the top reasons for attending were to "have fun," "improve physical health and fitness" and "improve mental health and wellbeing." When asked about the benefits of attending, 95 percent of participants agreed it improved their physical health and 97 percent agreed it improved their mental health.