The Effects of the BAILAMOS Dance Program on Physical Activity Levels and Cognition of Older Latino Adults: A Pilot Study.

To investigate the effects of the BAILAMOS dance program on physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory, and cognitive health. A parallel, two-armed pilot study was conducted with 57 older Latinos randomized to the BAILAMOS dance program ( = 28) or health education (HE) ( = 29). We conducted two- and three-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. BAILAMOS participants increased participation in leisure moderate-to-vigorous PA (LMVPA) ([1,53] = 3.17, = .048, = .01) and performance in global cognition relative to HE participants ([1,52] = 4.19, = .045, = .01). Attendance moderated increases in moderate PA, MVPA, LMVPA, and total PA ( < .05). Participants of both groups with ≥75% attendance increased participation in PA. Among participants with <75% attendance, BAILAMOS participants increased PA relative to HE. BAILAMOS positively impacted self-reported PA and global cognition in older Latinos. Even smaller doses of dance appear to impact self-reported PA levels.