A Novel High Intensity Short Interval Dance Intervention for Non Communicable Disease(NCD) Prevention in Asian Indian Adolescent Girls-THANDAV
Medical Research Council
Madras Diabetes Research Foundation
The proposal aims to study the effect of the THANDAV intervention on physical activity, fitness levels,body weight and fat % in Asian Indian adolescent girls using digital technology. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of cardiovascular exercise plan alternating short periods of intense aerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. Effective HIIT regimens can range anywhere from 4 to 20 minutes. Research has shown that HIIT regimens produced significant reductions in whole body fat mass, weight and improvement in cardiovascular fitness in both adults and adolescents. Various socio- cultural (such as not being allowed out late in the evenings) and environmental factors (such as lack of availability of safe places to exercise) prevent Asian Indian adolescent girls from exercising. Moreover, the term exercise has a 'male connotation' in India and exercising outdoors can lead to cultural 'inappropriateness'. However, dance is a culturally acceptable form of exercise, especially for girls. It is actively encouraged in the adolescent age group and is culturally looked upon as healthy, fun, appropriate and 'cool'. We thus incorporated the principles of HIIT in various Indian dance forms to produce this novel intervention called 'THANDAV'. The 10-min THANDAV routine will be developed in association with seasoned choreographers to ensure the ease and safety of the steps being performed. There will be a 2-min high intensity (80-100% of max heart rate (HR)) portion followed by a 30-sec low intensity (40-60% max HR) and four such repetitions will constitute a single 10-min routine. The 'THANDAV' website will offer details about the project and educational content after registration. Once women/girls are part of this online community, it will enable them to post their queries, talk about their experiences, watch 'THANDAVITES' dance videos and share their own on this webpage.
3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote well-being / Research Grant