An exploratory study of flow and enjoyment in a Dalcroze Eurhythmics-based intervention for seniors in Mexico

Abstract

In the past decade there has been an increasing demand for Dalcroze Eurhythmics sessions for seniors in Europe and the United States. However, in Latin America there is currently no established programme for this population. The effect of six sessions of a Dalcroze Eurhythmics-based intervention during three weeks was evaluated with a group of nine people (six women and three men), with a mean age of 69.8, using representative exercises of Dalcroze Eurhythmics to assess the ‘state of flow’, as described by Csikszentmihalyi using a Spanish version of the SFSS scale, and the level of enjoyment of the physical activity according to the PACES scale by Kendzierski and DeCarlo (abbreviated version). A single-group design assessed all variables following the first session and after the intervention. The results obtained from all the indicators of the PACES were identical after session 1 and at the end of the intervention. In contrast, the results of the measurement of three of the nine components of the SFSS vary slightly after session 1 compared to those post-intervention. The results of the remaining six components do not vary. Overall, the results suggest there is a need to review the effectiveness of the administration procedure of the scales.