Mainra Nisha K, Moore Samantha J, LaFleur Jamie, Oates Alison R, Selinger Gavin, Rolfes Tayha Theresia, Sullivan Hanna, Fatima Muqtasida, Foulds Heather J A
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Aug 6;22(8):1225. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22081225.
The Red River Jig is a traditional Métis dance practiced among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. While exercise improves physical health and fitness, the impacts of cultural dances on wholistic health are less clear. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial (cultural and mental), social, physical function, and physical fitness benefits of a Red River Jig intervention. In partnership with Li Toneur Nimiyitoohk Métis Dance Group, Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults ( = 40, 39 ± 15 years, 32 females) completed an 8-week Red River Jig intervention. Social support, cultural identity, memory, and mental wellbeing questionnaires, seated blood pressure and heart rate, weight, pulse-wave velocity, heart rate variability, baroreceptor sensitivity, jump height, sit-and-reach flexibility, one-leg and tandem balance, and six-minute walk test were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Community, family, and friend support scores, six-minute walk distance (553.0 ± 88.7 m vs. 602.2 ± 138.6 m, 0.002), jump, leg power, and systolic blood pressure low-to-high-frequency ratio increased after the intervention. Ethnic identity remained the same while affirmation and belonging declined, leading to declines in overall cultural identity, as learning about Métis culture through the Red River Jig may highlight gaps in cultural knowledge. Seated systolic blood pressure (116.5 ± 7.3 mmHg vs. 112.5 ± 10.7 mmHg, = 0.01) and lower peripheral pulse-wave velocity (10.0 ± 2.0 m·s vs. 9.4 ± 1.9 m·s, = 0.04) decreased after the intervention. Red River Jig dance training can improve social support, physical function, and physical fitness for Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults.
红河吉格舞是一种在原住民和非原住民中流传的传统梅蒂斯舞蹈。虽然锻炼能改善身体健康和体能，但文化舞蹈对整体健康的影响尚不清楚。本研究旨在调查红河吉格舞干预对心理社会（文化和心理）、社会、身体功能和体能的益处。与李·托尼尔·尼米伊托奥克梅蒂斯舞蹈团合作，原住民和非原住民成年人（n = 40，39±15岁，32名女性）完成了为期8周的红河吉格舞干预。在干预前后评估了社会支持、文化认同、记忆和心理健康问卷、坐位血压和心率、体重、脉搏波速度、心率变异性、压力感受器敏感性、跳跃高度、坐立前屈灵活性、单腿和串联平衡以及六分钟步行测试。干预后，社区、家庭和朋友支持得分、六分钟步行距离（553.0±88.7米对602.2±138.6米，p = 0.002）、跳跃、腿部力量和收缩压低频与高频比值增加。种族认同保持不变，而肯定感和归属感下降，导致整体文化认同下降，因为通过红河吉格舞了解梅蒂斯文化可能会凸显文化知识的差距。干预后坐位收缩压（116.5±7.3毫米汞柱对112.5±10.7毫米汞柱，p = 0.01）和较低的外周脉搏波速度（10.0±2.0米/秒对9.4±1.9米/秒，p = 0.04）降低。红河吉格舞训练可以改善原住民和非原住民成年人的社会支持、身体功能和体能。
