Neuromuscular system in dance

The neuromuscular system and performance psychology interests me. Dance psychologist Dr
Peter Lovatt researched the relationship between Parkinson's disease and dance. Parkinson's
disease causes symptoms such as balance problems, dizziness, nerve pain, ect which can then
lead them to developing a lower mood and depression. It was found that when people who took
part in recreational dance their symptoms were reduced. Their physical ability improved in terms
of they were able to balance and walk more easily, reduced any physical discomfort improving
their quality of life and their anxiety levels were reduced. Three physical, social and cognitive
aspects of dance enabled changes to the brain for example studies show being socially
engaged in dance results in you being less likely to get dementia. Dance keeps your body
physically fit and it has been shown that taking part in exercise not only maintains your fitness
but can aid structures in the brain. The hippocampus is a complex brain structure in the
temporal lobe which has a major role in memory and learning. Evidence shows that the
hippocampus shrinks every year resulting in a person's memory worsening. A study divided its
participants into a stretching group and a physical exercise (dance) group and they found that
stretching groups hippocampus continued to shrink throughout the year however the exercise
groups hippocampus grew bigger, measured by fMRI scans. Dance and exercising can enable
people to have better memory through the plasticity of our brains and how they can change and
adapt to our environments. The areas of dance which causes you to act on the spot like
improvisation to music tests the cognitive aspect of dance developing your problem solving.