Intervention
REGRESSIONS
Pole dance sessions took place between October and December 2020 at two different pole dance studios in Berlin under real-life conditions. The intervention consisted of eight-week dance sessions given by a certified pole dance instructor with one session given once per week. A session took 60 min in total and was divided into 30 min of strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises, and 30 min of pole dance specific training. The latter consisted of spinning (“spins”) and static figures, as well as floor elements (see supplement A). The elements in the program did not vary inter-individually. However, some adjustments were made to match an individual’s abilities; hence regressions (i.e., a slightly easier variation of a figure) and progressions (i.e., a slightly more difficult variation of a figure) of the planned elements were implemented to ensure an adequate learning environment. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the originally planned group classes became unfeasible. As a result, participants received personal training on the pole, either individually or per household. In addition, they received weekly videos with exercises for strength, endurance, and flexibility training, as well as “Sensual Pole” exercises. Data collection took place before randomization (baseline) and at the end of the intervention (post-intervention). As initially advocated, participants of the control group were given the choice of joining pole dance classes after the end of the intervention. The participation in pole dance classes was for free. However, all individuals who participated in pole dance sessions contributed an amount of 12 Euro to the room rental.