Author Identifier
Joanna Nicholas: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0663-690X
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Circus: Arts, Life, and Sciences
Publisher
University of Michigan
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
Abstract
In qualitative and cross-sectional studies, participation in recreational pole dancing classes has been shown to align with improvements in body image, physical fitness, satisfaction of basic psychological needs and group identity. The purpose of this feasibility study was to quantify retention and adherence rates, along with physiological and psychological changes, across eight weeks of pole dancing classes. Of the 76 participants recruited, 68 females (age range nineteen to 60 years) attended baseline testing, a typical term of pole dancing classes at eight local studios (i.e., two 60-minute classes a week for eight weeks) and a post-program testing session resulting in an 89.5% retention rate. The adherence rate was 93.8% (mean attendance of fifteen out of sixteen classes). Significant over-time improvements with small to large effect sizes were observed in body image (body appreciation r = 0.45, figure rating r = 0.38), physical self-concept (sport r = 0.30, coordination r = 0.41, strength r = 0.50, endurance r = 0.28, global esteem r = 0.38, flexibility r = 0.18), physical fitness (flexed arm hang r = 0.49, step up test d = 0.26, sit and reach d= 0.23) and visceral fat mass (r = -0.16). No significant changes were observed in bone mineral density, leg lean mass or leg fat mass. Analyses also revealed important correlations between in-class experiences and psychological and physiological outcomes, which may provide insight into potential design elements within future intervention studies. The results from this study inform the design of future larger trials by (a) highlighting retention and adherence rates in an eight-week pole dancing program, (b) identifying effect sizes for key outcomes of pole dancing, and (c) providing insight into the potentially modifiable factors that might be suitable targets for intervention should researchers and practitioners seek to maximize outcomes from this form of training.
DOI
10.3998/circus.2801
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Nicholas, J., Dimmock, J. A., Alderson, J. A., Donnelly, C. J., Jackson, B., Dimmock, J. A., ... & Donnelly, C. J. (2024). Exploring the psychological and physiological outcomes of recreational pole dancing: A feasibility study. Circus: Arts, Life, and Sciences, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.3998/circus.2801