Humana encourages senior dancing

Humana’s Games for Health team is encouraging a little “dancing with the seniors.” The company announced this week it has added a senior-friendly dance pad video game to its product line and is offering free use of the game in six Humana Guidance Centers -- including one in Kissimmee. Dancetown combines the fun of video games with the benefits of physical exercise and is designed to appeal to active senior citizens. Dancetown’s visual graphics are easy to see and read, and the music is tailored to a senior audience, according to a press release.

Research on Dancetown conducted by Humana’s Health Services Research Center found that the game positively affected the participants’ perceptions and attitudes in regards to their ability to perform certain activities as well as their feelings about their general health. Research also showed significant improvements in the participants’ ability to climb stairs, walk more than a mile, and a reduction in overall bodily pain as well as lower levels of depression.

Dancetown uses a commercial-grade dance pad connected to a game console and players dance to their favorite songs while being guided by a system of scrolling arrows. For players who are unable to stand on their own, Dancetown is also offered through a hand-controlled system that is placed in the lap. At the end of each song, the players’ dashboard will display metrics such as calories burned, skill level and experience.