Dancing for most people is something that comes quite naturally. There’s really no right or wrong way of going about it. Just let the rhythm take control, let the music move you…Yep, we just quoted C&C Music Factory. However, there is a difference between good and bad dancing. Thankfully for the male population, science has once and for all gathered enough data to define “good dancing”. With this report’s help, you’re guaranteed to have all the right moves, and ensure you don’t end up dancing alone.
A study conducted in the United Kingdom at Northumbria University collected data on what type of dance moves women found most attractive. With the aid of special motion capture technology, researchers recorded 19 males, from age 18-35, dancing in various styles. The men were all asked to dance for 30 seconds to a simple drum rhythm while researchers captured the movements to a computer. The data was then rendered to a greyscale, human computer model and screened to a panel of 37 women, also ages 18-35, who rated each move on attractiveness.
Photo: Washington Post
So what exactly does this mean? Well researchers were able to pinpoint 3 distinctive movements which were key to whether or not women found them attractive. Mainly the neck, head and torso area, with a viable range of larger motions. Headbangers don’t rejoice just yet; the study showed women found a variety of moves in these area more attractive than repetitive ones. Oddly though, the study also showed a particular focus on the right knee also showing signs of higher dancing ability…Twist and Shout anyone?! Arms and hands showed no particular triggers to dancing skills – to fist bumpers and “guy with pockets in hands,” keep doing your thing.
While the topic of “best dance moves” can be up for debate. The idea of certain dance moves being more attractive to women goes well beyond humans and is a common occurrence in the animal kingdom.
“Male movements serve as courtship signals in many animal species, and may honestly reflect the genotypic and/or phenotypic quality of the individual. Attractive human dance moves, particularly those of males, have been reported to show associations with measures of physical strength, prenatal androgenization and symmetry.”
Important things happen in Pacific Northwest nightlife, and DMNW will send you alerts!
