Determinatıon of the physical activity level of Turkish folk dances

The aim of this study was to determine the physical activity level of Turkish Folk Dances through the energy level that is expended during a folk dance performance. As subjects of the research, 12 female dancers at the average age of 23.3±2.61 years who have practiced folk dance for 7.0±2.87 years and male dancers at the average age of 22. 4± 1.93 years and have practiced folk dance for 8.5±4.48 years used. The oxygen consumption was determined according to the heart beats recorded during the treadmill test and folk dance performance from İzmir, Burdur, Hakkari and Trabzon districts. By calculating the collected data, the oxygen and energy levels which the dancers expended during the dance are indirectly estimated. All of the statistical operations have been done in Windows- SPSS programme and 0.05 level of significans was used. At the end of measurements of the female subjects ( n:12 ) whose MaxV02 average value has been evaluated as 37.2±5.84 ml/kg/min.; the oxygen consumption during İzmir Folk dances performance has been measured as 18.9±4.50 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 5.0Ü.24 kcal/min and 5.4±1.29 MET, during Burdur Folk dances; the oxygen consumption has been measured as 27.1±6.44 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 7.4Ü.72 kcal/min and 7.7Ü.84 MET. During Hakkari Folk dances the oxygen consumption has been measured as 27.5±5.77 ml/kg/min, the energy consumption has been measured as 7.5±1.56 kcal/min and 7.9±1.65 MET, during Trabzon Folk dances; the oxygen consumption has been measured as 33.6±5.74 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 9.4±1.76 kcal/min and 9.6±1.64MET. At the end of measurements of the male subjects ( n:12 ) whose MaxVC>2 average value has been evaluated as 48.6±5.16 ml/kg/min.; the oxygen consumption during İzmir Folk dances performance has been measured as62 18.1±2.55 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 6.1±1.21 kcal/min and 5.2±0.3 MET, during Burdur Folk dances; the oxygen consumption has been measured as 29.1±4.75 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 10.2±2.65 kcal/min and 8.3±1.36 MET. During Hakkari Folk dances the oxygen consumption has been measured as 29.1±4.16 ml/kg/min, the energy consumption has been measured as 10.0±2.13 kcal/min and 8.3Ü.19 MET, during Trabzon Folk dances; the oxygen consumption has been measured as 41.9±5.44 ml/kg/min., the energy consumption has been measured as 14.6±3.55 kcal/min andl2.0±2.13MET. According to the data, the oxygen and energy levels which the female and male subjects expended during the Turkish Folk dances performed around that belong to İzmir, Burdur, Hakkari and Trabzon districts; it is observed that İzmir was significantly lower than the others (P<0.01). Although there was not a significant differences between Burdur and Hakkari (P>0.01), they were significantly different from the others (P<0.01). Trabzon was significantly higher than the other three groups (PO.01). Consequently; physical activity level of Turkish folk dance can be stated the resemblance level with aerobic dance, horse riding, badminton, basketball, cycling, gymnastic, tracking, fencing, football, handball, skiing, table tennis, water sports, tennis, volleyball and swimming, etc... It is assumed the regular participation in Turkish folk dances will have positive effects on the physical and physiological parameters at people.