Charilaos Kouthouris

This systematic review aimed to synthesize empirical and practice-based literature on eco-somatic and environmentally engaged dance in outdoor and nature-integrated spaces, and to develop a conceptual and pedagogical framework for their future application in sustainability education. Following a PICOS-guided protocol, database searches in EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2010–2026) identified 14 eligible studies. These studies, primarily qualitative, ethnographic, and practice-led, were appraised using the CASP qualitative checklist and analyzed through thematic narrative synthesis. The findings show that eco-somatic and outdoor dance practices support somatic anchoring, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being; reconfigure human–environment relations by recognizing nature as an active co-creator; and foster empathy, democratic participation, and inclusive community building across ages and contexts. Grounded in these empirical findings, the Triadic Model of Regenerative Eco-Somatics and the Eco-Choreographic Protocol, including the Soma-Sustainable Cycle, are proposed as an integrated roadmap for embedding sustainability and UN SDGs into dance pedagogy and community programmes, while highlighting the need for longitudinal and curricular research to consolidate their transformative potential.

Background: Dance, as a creative and embodied form of physical activity, has been associated with psychological well-being. However, limited research has examined how recreational dance participation is related to mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction in non-clinical populations. This study aimed to address this gap by comparing psychological outcomes between recreational dancers and non-dancers and by examining dance-related characteristics among dancers. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 1,335 participants, including 912 recreational dancers from various styles (ballet, tango, Latin, modern/contemporary, traditional, aerial, and dance aerobic) and 423 non-dancers as a comparison group. Participants completed Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical analyses included correlations, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA controlling for age and gender), and cluster analysis. Results: Recreational dancers reported significantly higher levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction than non-dancers, and the three psychological variables were positively correlated. Among dancers, differences across dance styles appeared mainly for mindfulness, with tango dancers showing the highest mindfulness scores. Self-compassion showed a more complex pattern and appeared to vary according to age-related differences in the adjusted analyses, while life satisfaction did not differ significantly by dance style. Years of dance participation was not significantly associated with the psychological outcomes, while frequency of dance participation showed limited and inconsistent associations. A small gender-related difference was also observed, with female participants reporting higher life satisfaction than male participants. Mindfulness-based profiles further showed that dancers with higher mindfulness also reported higher self-compassion and life satisfaction. Conclusions: Recreational dance participation was associated with higher levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction, and may reflect a meaningful embodied, expressive, and socially situated leisure activity. These cross-sectional findings highlight the relevance of recreational dance to psychological well-being in non-clinical populations and may have implications for dance education, community leisure programs, and health-promotion initiatives that emphasize mindfulness, self-acceptance, emotional expression, and supportive teaching environments. Further longitudinal, intervention-based, and active-comparison studies are needed to better clarify these associations.

This systematic review adopted a dual-perspective approach to examine how community dance is conceptualized and operationalized in the literature published between 2000 and 2026. The review was reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020, with eligibility and search concepts informed by SPIDER. Searches of five bibliographic databases and Google Scholar produced 423 records, of which 30 peer-reviewed articles were included in a thematic and cross-cutting narrative synthesis. Explicit accounts framed community dance through macro-level aspirations toward cultural democracy, equity, social connection, and eco-social sustainability. Implicit operational accounts emphasized micro-level relational, embodied, and pedagogical processes through which these commitments may be pursued, including process-led participation, de-centering of authority, challenges to normative body ideals, non-clinical well-being, and, in a smaller subset, trauma-informed principles. The realization of democratic and inclusive aspirations varied by context, facilitation, participant experience, and institutional conditions. Across both strands, the lived body occurred as an interpretive link between embodied knowledge, participation, and psychosocial well-being. Community dance is provisionally conceptualized as an anti-elitist, leisure-based, process-led participatory practice that seeks to create democratic spaces where diverse bodies share creative agency and relational justice may be pursued in practice. This definition aims to clarify the field’s conceptual identity, offering a cohesive epistemological foundation for future research, policy, and pedagogy.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of Pilates-based exercise on mental health, psychological well-being, and quality of life (QoL) across clinical and healthy populations. Thirty-two randomized and quasi-experimental trials (total N = 1264) were included, representing adolescents, adults, and older adults across diverse clinical and non-clinical groups. Outcomes encompassed depressive symptoms, anxiety, QoL, self-esteem, and well-being. The unadjusted random-effects model indicated a suggestive but statistically inconclusive overall effect (p = 0.061). However, adjusting for outcome type via meta-regression yielded a statistically significant pooled effect (g = 0.393, p = 0.023). Substantial heterogeneity remained across studies (I² = 91.7%). Meta-regression identified outcome type as the only significant moderator, whereas age group, delivery mode, and clinical status did not significantly influence the pooled effect. Subgroup analyses suggested comparable benefits between remote and in-person delivery formats in general adult samples. Evidence from individual studies indicated that supervised, face-to-face instruction may be advantageous for older adults. Low-frequency programs, including once-weekly sessions, were also associated with improvements, although variability in intervention duration and structure limits conclusions regarding optimal dosage. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the pooled effect. Overall, the findings support Pilates as a feasible exercise modality with demonstrated benefits for positive psychosocial outcomes (QoL and self-esteem), while evidence for negative psychological indicators (e.g., depression, anxiety) remains limited or non-significant. Future research should standardize outcome measures, report training parameters consistently, and examine contextual factors contributing to heterogeneity in psychosocial responses.

Recreational dance offers significant psychological well-being potential. However, traditional instruction emphasizes technique while limiting attention to nervous system development and embodied meaning-making. Despite empirical support for polyvagal theory, motor learning science, somatic education, and phenomenology, their systematic integration into unified structures is not clearly established in recreational dance contexts. This protocol integrates nervous system regulation, motor learning, and creative expression within structured Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) modern dance syllabus for recreational adults. It presents a 12-week integrated dance-mindfulness intervention addressing this gap through a three-phase structure grounded in neuroscience and embodied pedagogy. The intervention comprises eight standardized components delivered weekly. The randomized controlled trial evaluates intervention effects using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), and the Leisure Involvement Scale (LIS). Qualitative assessment via semi-structured phenomenological interviews (Weeks 8 and 12) and weekly journaling captures somatic awareness, nervous system resilience, technical confidence, creative expression, relational and social belonging, and embodied meaning-making. Intervention participants are expected to show significantly greater improvements compared to controls. Results will establish evidence-based practice standards for recreational dance and demonstrate neuroscience integration’s efficacy for psychological wellbeing and embodied meaning-making.

Background: Advanced resistance training systems are widely used in practice, yet their comparative effectiveness for hypertrophy and maximal strength in recreationally trained adults remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether advanced methods provide superior adaptations to traditional multiple-set training and whether specific techniques confer distinct advantages for hypertrophy and maximal strength. Methods: A preregistered systematic search identified randomized and non-randomized controlled trials comparing advanced resistance training systems with traditional multiple-set protocols in recreationally trained adults aged 18–45 years. Outcomes included muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength. Random-effects and fixed-effects models with Knapp–Hartung adjustments were applied, and moderator analyses examined method type, volume equivalence and proximity to failure. Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. When all outcomes were pooled, advanced systems produced a small but statistically significant advantage over traditional training (g = 0.159). Strength outcomes showed a moderate, significant benefit for advanced methods (g = 0.351), whereas hypertrophy effects were small and non-significant (g = 0.046). Rest-pause training demonstrated a modest hypertrophic advantage, while velocity-based training and eccentric overload contributed primarily to strength improvements. Drop sets, tempo-controlled training and cluster-type protocols produced adaptations comparable to traditional sets when volume and effort were matched. Across models, τ² estimates were near zero, indicating minimal between-study heterogeneity. Conclusions: Advanced resistance training systems can be used effectively in recreationally trained adults and may offer advantages for maximal strength without compromising hypertrophy. Their hypertrophic superiority is not supported at the aggregate level, and their use should be guided by specific goals, constraints and individual preferences rather than expectations of universally greater muscle growth.

Regular participation in recreational physical activity is a key determinant of population health, yet behavioral heterogeneity across adults remains insufficiently understood. This study examined how demographic, anthropometric, and psychological characteristics relate to exercise type (H1), weekly frequency (H2), daily duration (H3), motivational regulation (H4), personality-based differences in exercise modality (H5), and multidimensional behavioral clustering (H6) within a large sample of physically active recreationally active adults. A total of 1564 participants (age: M = 33.65, SD = 9.83 years) completed standardized questionnaires assessing physical activity behavior, body mass index, weight history, personality traits (Five-Factor Model), and motivational regulation (BREQ-2). Non-parametric tests, multinomial logistic regression, and cluster analysis were applied. Gender and age consistently predicted exercise frequency and duration (H1–H3), while higher BMI and reported weight problems were strongly associated with health- and appearance-related motives (H4). Personality traits were linked to exercise modality but showed limited associations with motivational regulation (H5), suggesting that activity preferences reflect relatively stable psychological profiles, whereas motives are more context-dependent. Cluster analysis identified three distinct behavioral profiles combining demographic, physical, and psychological attributes (H6), with meaningful differences in exercise modality, duration, and motivational orientation. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the utility of behavioral segmentation in recreational physical activity and highlight the potential of tailored public health strategies that account for demographic, anthropometric, and personality-based differences in engagement patterns.

This study investigates safety management and risk prevention on Mount Olympus, Greece, focusing on challenges having an impact on visitors and professionals operating in the area. The research is grounded in theories of safety, risk management, and sustainable tourism in mountain environments. A mixed qualitative methodology was applied, including a review of secondary literature, ten semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, and data triangulation. Results show that, although major trails are well-marked, deficiencies persist in permanent rescue infrastructure, technological support, visitor education, and coordinated communication. Stakeholder collaboration remains fragmented, and the implementation of innovative technologies is limited. The study recommends enhancing inter-agency cooperation, adopting technological tools such as navigation and early warning systems, and promoting active community participation. Overall, the findings highlight the necessity of an integrated safety framework that combines prevention, preparedness, and education to ensure the sustainable development of Mount Olympus as a safe and high-quality outdoor tourism destination.

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness has expanded from seated meditation to include embodied practices emphasizing somatic awareness and emotional regulation. Dance offers a creative, accessible pathway to mindfulness, especially in non-clinical settings where movement-based approaches may better support self-regulation, interoception, and well-being. This scoping review investigated empirical studies on dance-based mindfulness interventions targeting non-clinical, amateur and recreational populations. Methods: Six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, ERIC, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025. Eligible studies combined dance with mindfulness and somatic movement practices and were conducted with non-professional participants of all ages in non-clinical settings. Study selection, data extraction, and appraisal followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Ten empirical studies met the inclusion criteria, spanning diverse populations from primary school children to older adults. Interventions included Dance/Movement Therapy, ballet with yoga, Sufi-inspired group dance, and school- or community-based mindful movement programs. Reported outcomes included improvements in body awareness, emotional regulation, stress reduction, self-compassion, social connection, and overall well-being. A thematic synthesis identified five domains: (1) psychological and emotional outcomes, (2) embodiment and self-compassion, (3) relational and social benefits, (4) feasibility and acceptability, and (5) sustained and preventive effects. Conclusions: Dance-based mindfulness interventions in recreational contexts show promising psychosomatic and emotional benefits. Although the current empirical base is limited and methodologically diverse, this scoping review provides a necessary foundation for understanding this emerging field. There remains a strong need for interventions that are theoretically grounded, culturally sensitive, and pedagogically integrated, particularly within classroom-based dance educational contexts.

Dance encompasses physical, emotional, and social elements, creating a dynamic platform for the exploration of well-being. As a therapeutic approach, dance movement further applies these dimensions to enhance emotional resilience, foster mindfulness, and improve overall mental health. This study examined the relationship between self-compassion and life satisfaction among 912 recreational dancers (80% female and 20% male) in Greece. Participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the five-factor self-compassion model, and regression analysis identified predictors of life satisfaction. Self-kindness emerged as a strong positive predictor (β = 0.258, p < 0.001), while isolation (β = −0.307, p < 0.001) and self-judgment (β = −0.083, p = 0.029) negatively predicted life satisfaction. Common humanity (β = 0.064, p = 0.066) and mindfulness (β = 0.004, p = 0.907) showed no significant predictive effect. The model explained 21.7% of the variance in life satisfaction (R² = 0.217). Small but statistically significant differences in self-compassion dimensions were observed across dance styles. Partner-oriented dancers such as those practicing tango reported slightly higher self-kindness and mindfulness, while ballet dancers showed a small increase in self-judgment and isolation. Life satisfaction remained consistent across styles, highlighting dance’s overall contribution to well-being. These findings suggest that integrating self-compassion training into dance education and psychotherapy, particularly within a Therapeutic-Based Art Pedagogy framework, may contribute to emotional resilience, foster social connection, and promote mental health, positioning dance as a potentially transformative tool for holistic development.