ZRS Koper during European Week of Sport: NEURODANCE brought together exercise, socialising and dance

As part of the European Week of Sport, which promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for all generations, an event organised as part of the international project NEURODANCE – Dancing intervention to ameliorate the symptoms and promote the well-being of patients with Parkinson’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders took place on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Mediterranean Health Centre of the Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper). The project is led by Manca Peskar at the Institute for Kinesiology Research of ZRS Koper.

The event was attended by people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers. Various physical and cognitive activities were combined into a symbolic NEURODANCE triathlon, which was not a competition but rather aimed at encouraging physical activity, participation and socialising. Participants monitored their physical parameters, tried their hand at an interactive balance board and practised their balance, coordination and cognitive skills. The programme was rounded off with a game of table tennis, which created a relaxed atmosphere and encouraged socialising.

As part of European Week of Sport, physical activity and socialising continued through dance. On Wednesday 30 September, members of the Trepetlika Association from Novo Mesto – who are taking part in dance workshops led by dance teacher Jana Dragan as part of the NEURODANCE project – performed a dance routine at the Festival for the Third Age at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. The dance group, which was formed as part of the Novo Mesto workshops, presented the results of their collaborative work and creativity at the festival, demonstrating how dance can combine movement, creativity and socialising.

The dance workshops are one of the key components of the NEURODANCE project. They have been running for people with Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders for the second year running in Izola, Kranj, Ljubljana, Novo Mesto and Maribor, as well as in three other European countries within the partner consortium. As part of the project, the workshops will continue into 2027.

The events in Koper and Ljubljana formed part of the NEURODANCE project’s activities to mark European Week of Sport. They highlighted the importance of regular physical activity and provided opportunities for socialising and the active inclusion of people with Parkinson’s disease in the community.

The NEURODANCE project (ERASMUS-SPORT-2024, project no.: 101185424) is co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA accepts responsibility for the content.