Differences in Physical Fitness Between Pendet Dancers and Non-Dancers Among Young Girls

Amelya Sasikirana Dewi (Bachelor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
I Putu Adiartha Griadhi (Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
I Made Muliarta (Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Luh Putu Ratna Sundari (Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)

GANESHA MEDICINA
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026)

Physical fitness during early childhood supports growth and long-term health. Balinese Traditional Dance, particularly Pendet, may enhance fitness through movements engaging multiple body components. This cross-sectional study involved 24 girls aged 6 years (12 dancers, 12 non-dancers). Physical fitness was assessed using Recovery Heart Rate, the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, and the Sit and Reach Test. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Dancers showed a significantly higher mean Recovery Heart Rate (26.92 ± 11.5 vs. 12.42 ± 3.37 beats/min, p < 0.05), indicating a greater number of heart rate beats returning toward normal within a set recovery period. They also performed better in the Chair Stand Test (21.55 ± 2.58 vs. 13.5 ± 2.5 repetitions, p < 0.05), while flexibility did not differ significantly. Conclusion: Dancers demonstrated better cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength than non-dancers.