Energy consumption in Turkish folk dances

The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological parameters such as energy consumption, respiratory responses, cardiorespiratory responses during the performance of Turkish folk dances by direct measurement. In this context, it was aimed to reveal the potential of these traditional cultural forms in terms of physical activity levels by comparatively analysing the effects of three basic Turkish folk dance genres, Zeybek, Halay and Horon, which have different characteristics and tempo structures, on the relevant physiological indicators. Ten experienced male dancers with a mean age of 21.70 ± 3.02 years, studying at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Department of Turkish Folk Dances, participated in the study voluntarily. Each participant performed a total of nine sub-dances belonging to three different folk dance genres, and physiological data such as MET, VO₂, VO₂/kg, RER, VE, muscle, BF, were measured during the dances by Cortex METAMAX® 3B mobile gas analyser. The data were analysed comparatively between game types and subtypes, and the significance level was accepted as p<0.05. As a result of statistical analyses, it was determined that folk dance genres with different characters and speeds created a significant difference on energy consumption and physiological responses (p<0.05). Especially Horon dances created a higher physiological load in variables such as VO₂, VO₂/kg, MET, VE and BPM compared to other genres. When evaluated in terms of sub-genres, Horon-Sallama and Zeybek-Serenler games reached the highest oxygen consumption and energy expenditure values. In the Halay genre, differences were observed depending on the sub-genres, and significant physiological loads were determined especially in Çaçan and Çepik dances, which stand out with their high tempo structure. A strong relationship was found between tempo (BPM) and energy expenditure (MET and VO₂). In addition, similar findings were obtained when the variables that did not meet the parametric assumptions were analysed with the paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Effect size calculations indicated that the findings were both statistically and practically significant, indicating large differences in some comparisons (d > 0.8 or r > 0.5). The findings revealed that the physiological effects of Turkish folk dances differed significantly according to the game types. In line with the data obtained from the dances included in the study, it was determined that the energy consumption of Turkish folk dances varied between 4.75 MET and 9.05 MET, indicating that these dances have the characteristics of a physical activity alternative based on scientific foundations, cultural grounds and applicable. In this context, in the energy consumption of Turkish folk dances, it was determined that low tempo dances were 5.52±1.21 MET, medium tempo dances were 5.96±1.19 MET and high tempo dances were 8.27±1.79 MET. These results show that folk dances can be systematically classified according to the intensity of physical activity and can be selected according to the physical fitness level of individuals and integrated into exercise programmes.