Effects of dance training on core muscle strength and physical fitness in higher education: a review

Dance training places unique and intense demands on the core musculature, requiring strength, stability, and control for complex movements. This narrative review synthesises available evidence on the effects of structured dance training on core muscle strength and physical fitness in college and university students. Thirteen empirical studies, identified through searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore, were included. Dance styles ranged from ballet, jazz, Zumba, and hip-hop to sport dance and classical Chinese dance, with intervention durations from 4 weeks to three semesters. A number of studies reported direct core outcomes, such as transversus abdominis activation and trunk endurance, showing improvements after dance programmes, especially when combined with supplementary core exercises. Other studies documented indirect benefits, including better hamstring flexibility, hip extensor strength, static and dynamic balance, coordination, and self-reported body awareness and emotional regulation. Overall, the evidence suggests that dance training may enhance trunk endurance, balance, flexibility, and explosive power in university students. However, the literature has notable limitations: small and predominantly female samples, heterogeneous outcome measures, frequent lack of active control groups, and few objective direct core assessments. Consequently, strong conclusions about the specific effects of dance on core muscle strength cannot yet be drawn. Dance training appears a feasible and engaging activity for university health promotion, but future research should use standardised dance protocols, direct core outcome measures, and adequately powered, diverse samples.