Performing Arts as a Health-Promoting Activity
When you consider ways to promote your health, you might naturally think of things like diet and exercise. While these are certainly health-promoting activities, what if dancing, playing music, or even going to watch an opera could also positively impact your health?
A study published in PLoS One (2021) set out to evaluate the types and “doses” of performing arts participation that impact health. For the purposes of this study, performing arts referred to music and/or dance participation. Further defined, music participation referred to singing or playing a musical instrument and dance participation referred to moving rhythmically to music for creative expression, rather than for physical exertion.
By reviewing systematic studies on the health impacts of performing arts, researchers found that music and dance were linked to positive effects across nine areas of health and well-being in adults. These health domains included cognitive and immune functions, mental health, physical fitness and function, and social well-being.
The benefits were strongest when people participated regularly, at least 60 minutes per week over four weeks or more. In contrast, one-off sessions showed fewer consistent effects.
Additionally, the broadest health benefits were noted with:
Exercise-based dance (aerobic and Zumba)
Expression-based dance (ballroom and social)
Drumming
Now here’s the fascinating part: you don’t even necessarily have to be the one performing to reap benefits.
A separate study published in Frontiers in Psychology (2021) suggests that even receptively engaging in performing arts through watching and listening can trigger mirror neuron activity, meaning you feel as if you were performing the actions yourself.
Together, these findings suggest that you can experience the benefits of the performing arts through active participation or simply by watching a performance. So whether you’re joining a Zumba class, drumming with friends, or enjoying a night at the opera, you’re not just having fun, but you’re also supporting your health in meaningful ways.
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Resources:
McCrary JM, Redding E, Altenmüller E. Performing arts as a health resource? An umbrella review of the health impacts of music and dance participation. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 10;16(6):e0252956. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252956. PMID: 34111212; PMCID: PMC8191944.
Tanaka S. Mirror Neuron Activity During Audiovisual Appreciation of Opera Performance. Front Psychol. 2021 Jan 27;11:563031. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.563031. Erratum in: Front Psychol. 2023 Nov 21;14:1329662. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1329662. PMID: 33584402; PMCID: PMC7873040.