ABSTRACT

This study aimed to quantitatively examine the effects of an eight-week structured ballet program on physical and psychological variables in middle-aged women. The participants were eleven married women between the ages of 51 and 60, who were selected through preliminary interviews. They attended a total of 24 ballet sessions, held three times per week. The collected data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non-parametric statistical method. Physical variables included height, weight, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, BMI, and performance on the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Among these, significant differences were found in height, BMI, and SFT scores. Psychological variables included short-term memory, body image, psychological well-being, and depression. Statistically significant improvements were observed in short-term memory and depression. These results confirm that a physical activity program such as ballet can positively impact both the physical and psychological health of middle-aged women. This study provides empirical evidence that may inform future practices and policy initiatives aimed at improving the physical and mental health of this population.