Physiological effects of participating in a 40-minute Zumba� fitness session

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological effects of participating in a 40-minute ZumbaB fitness session. Nineteen apparently healthy subjects were recn~ited from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to determine the exercise intensity and energy expenditure of the session. The subjects ranged from 18-22 years old, and were experienced at participating in ZumbaB fitness classes. The subjects performed a maximal graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine metabolic responses including V02 and HR. A linear regression line from the graded exercise treadmill test was computed to determine VO2 (mllkglmin) during the ZumbaB fitness session. After the treadmill test, subjects participated in a single ZumbaB fitness class. Subjects wore a radiotelemetric heart rate monitor during the ZumbaB fitness class. Watches were downloaded to gather HR responses during the class. HR zones were determined for each subject using data gathered during the treadmill test based on HR at VT and RCT. Results for the study showed that throughout the exercise session, subjects were exercising at an estimated 63.5 * 10.5% VO21nax or 63-69 &10.5% V02 reserve and 79 * 7.0% HRrnax or 117 + 10.5% HRR, which is probably sufficient to increase aerobic capacity. The average energy expenditure was 9.45 .t 2.69 kcallmin representing 378 * 108 kcal per 40 minutes of participating in a ZumbaB fitness class. Based on these results, ZumbaB was shown to meet the recommended guidelines from ACSM for improving cardiovascular fitness and improving and/or maintaining body weight.