Comparison of lung function and self-efficacy between Balinese dancer and non-dancer students in Denpasar, Bali

Background and purpose: Balinese dance is a well-known traditional activity which has been proven to have physiological and psychological benefits. This study aims to compare the differences in lung function and self-efficacy between Balinese dancer and non-dancer students in Denpasar, Bali. Methods: This was an analytical observational study using a cross-sectional method, which was carried out directly at the Physiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University and Denpasar “X” Institute, from January to September 2023. Participants were students of the Dance and Visual Communication Design Study Programs of Denpasar “X” Institute who met the study criteria accounted for 48 students in each group. The data collection was conducted using a Chestgraph HI-101 spirometry for lung function measurement and a self-efficacy scale by I Made Rustika for self-efficacy measurement. The data was analyzed with SPSS 26 using T-independent and Mann-Whitney tests for mean comparison. Results: The two groups have similar distribution of age, sex, weight, height and smoking status. The respiratory function indicators were higher in dancer group compare to non-dancer group, the mean difference of 0.34 (p=0.02) for FVC(L), 10.14 (p<0.001) for FVC%, 0.3 (p=0.04) for FEV1(L), and 0.77 (p=0.02) for FEV 25%. No significant difference in self-efficacy was observed. Conclusion: The dancer students have higher lung function compare to non-dancer student. This signify dancing can become one form of physical activities that can be introduced to improve lung function since early age.