An 8-Week Exercise Intervention Based on Zumba Improves Aerobic Fitness and Psychological Well-Being in Healthy Women
Click name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Anne A. Delextrat in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sarah Warner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sarah Graham in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Emma Neupert in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Background:
Although Zumba is practiced by millions of people worldwide, there is a paucity of research about its potential benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zumba on physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy women.
Methods:
Cardiovascular fitness, body composition, physical self-perception and psychological well-being were assessed before and immediately after 8 weeks of Zumba performed 3 times weekly (Zumba group, n = 22, age: 26.6 ± 5.4 years old; height: 165.8 ± 7.1 cm) or no intervention (control group, n = 22, age: 27.9 ± 6.0 years old; height: 164.7 ± 6.2 cm). All variables were analyzed by a 2-way (Group × Time) analysis of variance with repeated measures, and a Bonferroni post hoc test. Pearson correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between changes in anthropometric, physiological and psychological variables.
Results:
Zumba provided significant positive changes in maximal aerobic fitness (+3.6%), self-perception of physical strength (+16.3%) and muscular development (+18.6%), greater autonomy (+8.0%), and purpose in life (+4.4%). No significant changes were observed in the control group. In addition, some psychological changes were significantly correlated to body fat at baseline, and changes in fitness.
Conclusions:
These results highlight that Zumba is beneficial to improve fitness and well-being in healthy women, but does not change body composition.
Delextrat (adelextrat@brookes.ac.uk) and Graham are with the Dept of Sport and Health Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. Warner is with the Dept of Agriculture, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK. Neupert is with the Dept of Sport and Exercise, Winchester University, Winchester, UK.
© 2023 Human Kinetics