MenopauseNCT06260124
Acute Physiological Effects of Greek Traditional Dancing
A study testing Slow tempo, Moderate tempo and Fast tempo in people with Menopause and Cardiovascular Health, run by University of Thessaly at 1 site in Greece.
Trial summary
In Greece, people of different age groups, including young children to older adults, are involved in traditional dance. To date, the well-know benefits of dancing include entertainment, socialization and increased physical activity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 80 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Menopause, Cardiovascular Health, Body Composition
- What is being tested?
- Slow tempo, Moderate tempo and Fast tempo
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGreece
- Study dates
- 10 Apr 2024to 30 May 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 80 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Abstain from vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study.
- Free of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
- Free of cardiometabolic diseases.
- Free of mental health disorders
- No body weight loss >10% over the last 6 months prior to the study
- Non-smokers
Who cannot join
- Perimenopause and menopause women
- Participation vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study
- Presence of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
- Presence of cardiometabolic diseases.
- Presence of mental health disorders
- Body weight loss >10% over the last 6 months prior to the study
- Smokers
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Greece1 site
University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
Trikala, Thessaly, 42100
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Greek Traditional Dancing on Health, Performance and Muscle Damage Markers in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: Implications of Dancing Tempo.
In Greece, people of different age groups, including young children to older adults, are involved in traditional dance. To date, the well-know benefits of dancing include entertainment, socialization and increased physical activity. However, the acute effects of Greek traditional dancing on health, physical performance and muscle damage indices remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health-, physical performance-, and muscle damage-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo (slow vs moderate vs fast). In a crossover repeated measures design 10 pre- and 10 post-menopausal women will participate in the three dancing sessions of different tempo in a random order.
Read the detailed description
This study aims at determining the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health- and physical performance-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo. Ten pre- and ten postmenopausal women meeting the inclusion criteria will be assigned to a crossover trial. Initially, participants will undergo baseline testing including (i) anthropometrics, (ii) body composition, (iii) physical performance, (iv) physical activity level and (v) dietary intake. After baseline measurements, a 7-day familiarization period will take place, during which participants will practice daily on the three experimental dances. Each dance will be characterized by a different tempo (beats per minute) so that there will be one dance from each tempo category (i.e. slow, moderate and fast). After familiarization, participants will execute in a random order the three dancing sessions, on separate days. Each dancing session will consist of one dance (of either slow or moderate or fast tempo) lasting ~ 3- 4 minutes. During each dance heart rate, oxygen consumption and activity intensity will be continuously monitored. Before and immediately after the dance systolic and diastolic blood pressure, perceived exertion and blood lactate will be measure. In addition, before each dance and at 24 and 48 hours post-dance muscle soreness, muscle strength and resting metabolic rate will be measured and a resting blood sample will be drawn for the assessment of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
- Being tested
- Slow tempo, Moderate tempo, Fast tempo
- Keywords
- Greek traditional dancing, premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, dancing tempo
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Slow tempoOther
A single Greek traditional dance of slow tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Moderate tempoOther
A single Greek traditional dance of moderate tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
Fast tempoOther
A single Greek traditional dance of fast tempo lasting 3-4 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-menopausal women | Experimental | Pre-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days. Receives: Other: Slow tempo; Other: Moderate tempo; Other: Fast tempo |
| Post-menopausal | Experimental | Post-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days. Receives: Other: Slow tempo; Other: Moderate tempo; Other: Fast tempo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in blood pressure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a blood pressure cuff
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in perceived exertion
Perceived exertion will be rated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, a numerical scale that ranges from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximum effort).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in blood lactate
Blood lactate will be measured on a portable, automatic lactate analyser using the relevant strips
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Change in resting metabolic rate
Resting metabolic rate (kcal) will be assessed using a portable open-circuit indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood system
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in delayed-onset of muscle soreness (DOMS)
DOMS of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be evaluated by palpation of the relaxed muscle's belly and distal region with participants rating the perceived soreness on a visual analogue scale ranging from 1 to 10.
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in maximal isometric voluntary contraction
Maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer.
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in joint range of motion
Knee joint range of motion will be assessed using a manual goniometer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in functional performance
Functional performance will be assessed using the movement-based screening tool functional movement screen (FMS)
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in white blood cell count
White blood cell count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in granulocyte count
Granulocyte count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in lymphocytes
Lymphocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in monocytes
Monocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in creatine kinase concentration
Creatine kinase will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer and commercially available kits
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in reduced glutathione
Reduced glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in oxidized glutathione
Oxidized glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in catalase activity
Catalase activity will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in protein carbonyls
Protein carbonyls will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in total antioxidant capacity
Total antioxidant capacity will be measured spectrophotometrically in plasma
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in heart rate
Heart rate will be continuously monitored using heart rate sensors
Measured: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Change in oxygen consumption
Oxygen consumption will be continuously monitored using a portable metabolic system.
Measured: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Change in physical activity
The number of steps performed will be assessed using an accelerometer (ActiGraph Gt3x)
Measured: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in red blood cell count
Red blood cell count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hematocrit
Hematocrit will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hemoglobin
Hemoglobin will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Measured: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Feb 2024
- Study start10 Apr 2024
- Primary completion15 Feb 2025
- Study completion30 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for MenopauseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ThessalyThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Thessaly
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dimitrios Draganidis, University of Thessaly
- Investigators
- Dimitrios Draganidis, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06260124
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Greek Dancing-UTH
- Status last verified
- Jan 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Jan 2024
- Last updated
- 11 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Greek Traditional Dancing on Health, Performance and Muscle Damage Markers in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: Implications of Dancing Tempo.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06260124
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Greek Dancing-UTH
- Keywords
- Greek traditional dancing, premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, dancing tempo
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ThessalyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In Greece, people of different age groups, including young children to older adults, are involved in traditional dance. To date, the well-know benefits of dancing include entertainment, socialization and increased physical activity. However, the acute effects of Greek traditional dancing on health, physical performance and muscle damage indices remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health-, physical performance-, and muscle damage-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo (slow vs moderate vs fast). In a crossover repeated measures design 10 pre- and 10 post-menopausal women will participate in the three dancing sessions of different tempo in a random order.
Detailed description
This study aims at determining the acute effect of Greek traditional dancing on health- and physical performance-related parameters by considering the impact of dancing tempo. Ten pre- and ten postmenopausal women meeting the inclusion criteria will be assigned to a crossover trial. Initially, participants will undergo baseline testing including (i) anthropometrics, (ii) body composition, (iii) physical performance, (iv) physical activity level and (v) dietary intake. After baseline measurements, a 7-day familiarization period will take place, during which participants will practice daily on the three experimental dances. Each dance will be characterized by a different tempo (beats per minute) so that there will be one dance from each tempo category (i.e. slow, moderate and fast). After familiarization, participants will execute in a random order the three dancing sessions, on separate days. Each dancing session will consist of one dance (of either slow or moderate or fast tempo) lasting ~ 3- 4 minutes. During each dance heart rate, oxygen consumption and activity intensity will be continuously monitored. Before and immediately after the dance systolic and diastolic blood pressure, perceived exertion and blood lactate will be measure. In addition, before each dance and at 24 and 48 hours post-dance muscle soreness, muscle strength and resting metabolic rate will be measured and a resting blood sample will be drawn for the assessment of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-menopausal women | Experimental | Other: Slow tempo, Other: Moderate tempo, Other: Fast tempoPre-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days. |
| Post-menopausal | Experimental | Other: Slow tempo, Other: Moderate tempo, Other: Fast tempoPost-menopausal healthy, inactive women that will participate in a random order in three dancing sessions (Greek traditional dancing) of different tempo on non-consecutive days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 80 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Abstain from vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study.
- Free of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
- Free of cardiometabolic diseases.
- Free of mental health disorders
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Perimenopause and menopause women
- Participation vigorous physical activity and/or exercise during the last (at least) 6 months prior to the study
- Presence of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
- Presence of cardiometabolic diseases.
- Presence of mental health disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Slow tempoA single Greek traditional dance of slow tempo lasting 3-4 minutes. | Other | Post-menopausal, Pre-menopausal women |
| Moderate tempoA single Greek traditional dance of moderate tempo lasting 3-4 minutes. | Other | Post-menopausal, Pre-menopausal women |
| Fast tempoA single Greek traditional dance of fast tempo lasting 3-4 minutes. | Other | Post-menopausal, Pre-menopausal women |
Primary outcome
Change in blood pressure
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a blood pressure cuff
Change in perceived exertion
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Perceived exertion will be rated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, a numerical scale that ranges from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximum effort).
Change in blood lactate
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance
Blood lactate will be measured on a portable, automatic lactate analyser using the relevant strips
Change in resting metabolic rate
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Resting metabolic rate (kcal) will be assessed using a portable open-circuit indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood system
Change in delayed-onset of muscle soreness (DOMS)
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
DOMS of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be evaluated by palpation of the relaxed muscle's belly and distal region with participants rating the perceived soreness on a visual analogue scale ranging from 1 to 10.
Change in maximal isometric voluntary contraction
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the knee extensors and flexors of both limbs will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer.
Change in joint range of motion
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Knee joint range of motion will be assessed using a manual goniometer
Change in functional performance
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Functional performance will be assessed using the movement-based screening tool functional movement screen (FMS)
Change in white blood cell count
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
White blood cell count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Change in granulocyte count
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Granulocyte count will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Change in lymphocytes
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Lymphocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Change in monocytes
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Monocytes will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer
Change in creatine kinase concentration
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Creatine kinase will be measured using an automatic blood analyzer and commercially available kits
Change in reduced glutathione
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Reduced glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Change in oxidized glutathione
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Oxidized glutathione will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Change in catalase activity
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Catalase activity will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Change in protein carbonyls
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Protein carbonyls will be measured spectrophotometrically in red blood cells
Change in total antioxidant capacity
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Total antioxidant capacity will be measured spectrophotometrically in plasma
Change in heart rate
Time frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Heart rate will be continuously monitored using heart rate sensors
Change in oxygen consumption
Time frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
Oxygen consumption will be continuously monitored using a portable metabolic system.
Change in physical activity
Time frame: Through dance session completion, an average of 30 minutes
The number of steps performed will be assessed using an accelerometer (ActiGraph Gt3x)
3 secondary outcomes
Change in red blood cell count
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hematocrit
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Change in hemoglobin
Time frame: At baseline and at 24 hours and 48 hours after the dance
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Jun 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Dimitrios Draganidis, PhD principal investigator
University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Slow tempo, Moderate tempo and Fast tempo in people with Menopause and Cardiovascular Health, run by University of Thessaly at 1 site in Greece.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Greece. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in blood pressure (time frame: At baseline and immediately after the dance). The study lists 21 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Jun 2025.