Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to news
news
Fitness
Health & fitness
Dancing burns more energy than cyclingDance burns more calories than cycling

Dancing burns more energy than cycling

Dancing on the pedals. A new study found dance burns more energy than cycling, running or swimming
by Laura Laker
Thu, Dec 24, 2015 07:02
11

Dancing trumps cycling in the amount of energy expenditure it uses, according to new research by the University of Brighton.

In a study led by Dr Nick Smeeton and Dr Gary Brickley from the Department of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton, with London's City Academy, 15 students wore catapult vests with accelerometers and heart rate monitors.

During a series of dance classes energy expenditure, distance covered and heart rate were measured, and psychological states tracked using a questionnaire. Contemporary, street and swing dancing burned more calories than a comparable period of cycling, running or swimming.

Winter cycling: 16 tips to keep you motivated

The Science of Dance from City Academy on Vimeo.

The University of Brighton's Dr. Nick Smeeton says the results surprised him.

“Dance not only appears to increase positive and reduce negative emotions, which are typical effects of exercise, but we also found that dancing actually reduced feelings of fatigue too."

“People may be familiar with runners’ high and there appears to be a similar effect after dancing too. We have seen that dancing improves your emotional state. Furthermore, it seems to have an energizing effect. Add in the known benefits of social interaction you get whilst dancing and it becomes a powerful way to improve your health and well-being.”

According to existing research cycling burns 390kcal per hour, where ballet uses 462. Contemporary, Swing and Street dances use even more, at 534, 586 and 606, respectively.

It's not going to win anyone the hour record, but in a 60 minute street dance class, the study found, you can cover 3,600m. That's the equivalent of crossing Tower Bridge 15 times. Heart rates reached "high and severe intensity exercise" levels in all six dance styles, helping the activity exceed national health recommendations for physical activity. 

This research comes at the perfect time of year for motivation to bust out those festive dance moves. We wonder if dancing on the pedals counts.

 

University of Brighton
exercise
energy expenditure
dance
Laura Laker

Laura Laker is a freelance journalist with more than a decade’s experience covering cycling, walking and wheeling (and other means of transport). Beginning her career with road.cc, Laura has also written for national and specialist titles of all stripes. One part of the popular Streets Ahead podcast, she sometimes appears as a talking head on TV and radio, and in real life at conferences and festivals. She is also the author of Potholes and Pavements: a Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network.

Add new comment

11 comments

Avatar
Simon E | 8 years ago
0 likes

I'm sure dancing is great but I'm not about to sell my bikes and don a tutu. And I bet they don't spend 45mins or more dancing vigorously, twice a day 5 times a week in the fresh air.  So I win 3

Although I don't ride a bike simply to burn calories.

Cycle computer calories are wildly optimistic so I wouldn't take them at face value. Most online calculators suggest vigorous cycling burns ~600 kcal/hour.

Also, you should bear in mind that for many foods the nutrition labels can be very misleading:

http://theconversation.com/why-most-food-labels-are-wrong-about-calories...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/9877560/Calorie...

http://optimumnutrition4sport.co.uk/reading-food-labels-misguidance-and-...

Avatar
nowasps | 8 years ago
1 like

I'm afraid this article is being disingenuous in failing to mention the risks. Always wear a helmet on the dance floor, people. If you don't, you deserve all you get.

 

 

 

Avatar
festina | 8 years ago
1 like

And how long does a dance session last, 3hrs or more like 45 minutes?
Bit like saying that a sprinter is fitter than a marathon runner because they go faster.

Avatar
bendertherobot replied to festina | 8 years ago
0 likes

Festina wrote:

And how long does a dance session last, 3hrs or more like 45 minutes? Bit like saying that a sprinter is fitter than a marathon runner because they go faster.

 

Thing is, this article is an over generalisation, we all accept that. However, serious dance training burns loads. Remember that it's not just the session where you display your skills. It's the training leading up to it. The amateurs who enter Strictly end up changing body shape (mostly). 

This article has dodgy science and over simplifcation. But proper dancing is a bloody great exercise. 

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 8 years ago
1 like

What about dancing on the pedals??

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
1 like

A very hard tempo session for an hour I can burn 1000+ calories, 500 cals for mid level pace ride. Seen as pro riders burn 5,6,7000 calories a day on a tour.

You don't tend to see many chubby riders who are dedicated to cycling. My current weight is nudging 16 stone, but I still have a flat stomach at this weight. I am having a xmas break and will begin seroius training again in the new year. Merry xmas everyone 4

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 8 years ago
2 likes

So, if I have one mince pie and burn the calories at 390 per hour and the real world figures being closer to 600-700 per hour, this, I think, means I can now have 2 mince pies without any negative effects.

 

Merry Christmas! 1

Avatar
DaveE128 | 8 years ago
1 like

390kcal/hour? Ha! Think they must have "researched" Amsterdam-style cycling. The equivalent would be dancing sedately to the shops or dancing to work! (Actually, I burn 600kcal ish per hour commuting)

Avatar
levermonkey | 8 years ago
3 likes

390kCal/hr????

Not sure that they are comparing like with like here. Like Jased above I burn between 600 and 700kCal/hr and when I'm going for it or hill bashing then I'm up 1300+kCal/hr.

They seem to be comparing a cyclist hardly pootling along with a very energetic high-impact dancer. The video shows dancers barely exerting themselves.

Energy consumed is not the whole picture. Look at the injuries sustained and the ages of the participants involved. I don't see many oldies doing high energy street dance do you.[*] We have ALL been passed by some old bast*rd on a clunker from the Ark halfway up a mountain! Normally with a cheery "Morning!" as they go past (Once in Wales they cleared off up the hill whistling; I could have cried!).

[*The Northern Soul Scene is the exception that proves the rule.]

Avatar
. . replied to levermonkey | 8 years ago
2 likes

levermonkey wrote:

390kCal/hr????

Don't know about you, but I weigh twice as much as the dancers in that video.  I can quite believe they'd only burn 390 an hour on a bike.

Avatar
jasecd | 8 years ago
3 likes

Not sure about the numbers as I seem to burn 600 - 700 kcal an hour when riding.

I'm not surprised that dancing burns a significant amount though as much of it seems quite explosive. It probably doesn't really matter what you're doing as long as you're exercising a decent amount.

Latest Comments