Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins (front row, 4th from left) with some of the members of the fitness and dance group led by Jeannette Bowen (2nd row, 5th from left).
Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins presented research on dance and healthy lifestyles for the 79th Annual Meeting of the Southern Sociological Society in Atlanta.
Dr. Mundy-Judkins studied forms of movement in exercise, as well as social dance, and considered health outcomes and patterns of injury. This research focused on the efficacy of movement and dance for health maintenance.
Physical benefits included increase in bone and muscle mass, balance and reflexes, and better spatial and peripheral vision. In the case of social and line dancing, depression was reduced and memory and cognition were improved. The major sources of problems were overuse injuries, especially of the lower body.
Dr. Mundy-Judkins is a professor of sociology at Lee University specializing in medical sociology and epidemiology. Her earlier work was at Duke University in the Movement Disorders Clinic, a neurological facility of Duke Hospital. Her current research is derived from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging, and medical and professional journals.
Established in 1935, the Southern Sociological Society is a society of professionals that promotes the development of sociology as a profession and scientific discipline. For more information about the SSS, visit http://www.southernsociologicalsociety.org/.
For more information about Dr. Mundy-Judkins’ research or presentation, contact kmundy@leeuniversity.edu.