“I Hear the Music and My Spirits Lift!” Pleasure and Ballroom Dancing for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Physical activity for older adults is recommended to encourage the maintenance of functional autonomy and improve mental health. Ballroom dancing involves aerobic, strength, and balance work and is an inherently a social activity. This 12-month qualitative study considered the influence of ballroom dancing on health and well-being in community-dwelling older adults. It explores an underreported aspect of physical activity, which may incentivize older people to participate, that is, pleasure. Qualitative data were managed and analyzed using the Framework Analysis approach. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 26 older adult ballroom dancers. Five typologies of pleasure were identified. In addition to “sensual pleasure,” “pleasure of habitual action,” and “pleasure of immersion,” as suggested by Phoenix and Orr, the “pleasure of practice” and “pleasure of community” were also identified. Ballroom dancing produces a strong sense of embodied pleasure for older adults and should be promoted by health and exercise professionals for community-dwelling older adults.