Abstract

BACKGROUND: A maximal-moderate intensity and high energy expenditure during an aerobic training such as Zumba® fitness are recommended to promote healthy body weight. However, age and ponderal status could affect the achievement of these results. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of the ponderal status and age on cardiovascular intensity, physical effort and energy expenditure in women during a Zumba® class. METHODS: Heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion were measured in 101 women during one-hour Zumba® class. Energy expenditure was estimated from HR. Participants were classified as normal weight, overweight, and obese based on the Body Mass Index (BMI). RESULTS: Obese women spent a shorter amount of time in maximal intensity HR (2.91±11.5% of class time) compared with normal weight (11.74±20.4 % of class time) and overweight women (11.20±18.6% of class time) with P<0.05. However, this group remained at least ~52 min into moderate-maximal intensity. Relative energy expenditure was lower in obese (4.35 kcal/kg) than normal weight (7.54 kcal/kg) and overweight women (6.42 kcal/kg) with P<0.05. Total energy expenditure for obese women was ~380 kcal. A highest BMI was associated with a lower relative (r=-0.68; P<0.0001) and absolute (r=-0.26; P<0.008) energy expenditure, and older age was related to a lower HRmean (r=-0.29; P<0.05) and HRmax (r=-0.34; P<0.05) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A Zumba® class can facilitate reaching the cardiovascular intensity and relative energy expenditure required for weight control and lowering cardiometabolic risk in women. However, it is necessary to consider ponderal status and age to achieve the goals of improving cardiovascular fitness using Zumba® training.