Energy Expenditure And Body Composition In Mexican Female Recreational Dancers Of Latin, Zumba, And Twerk

Abstract

Caloric surplus has been associated with issues in body composition and weight management. In Mexico, 36% of women over 18 years of age reported performing some type of physical activity (PA). This troubling data are related to the overweight/obesity prevalence among female Mexican adults. Dance like, Latin, Zumba, and Twerk appears as an attractive form of PA for women. However, the effect they may have on energy expenditure and body composition remains unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate energy expenditure and body composition in Mexican female recreational dancers of Latin, Zumba, and Twerk. METHOD: 77 women agreed to participate: Latin, 36, age 32.64 ± 13.16, BMI 24.41 ± 6.53, Zumba, 18, age 42.78 ± 16.55, BMI 26.63 ± 4.92, and Twerk, 23, age, 24.39 ± 5.38, BMI, 22.57 ± 1.45. Inclusion criteria included participation for more than 4 weeks and at least four times per week. Body fat percentage and fat-free mass were calculated bio impedance (BIA). Total Kcal spent during the session were measured with a pedometer. The BMI was calculated using weight and height. The analysis consisted of ANOVA. Results Based on BMI standards, all (but the Zumba participants) were classified as normal. Body fat percentage: Latin 22.62 ± 7.65, Zumba 27.68 ± 7.86 and Twerk 23.59 ± 4.53 (p = 0.043). Fat-free mass: Latin 23.62 ± 7.65, Zumba 23.23 ± 3.92, and Twerk 28.63 ± 9.58 (p = 0.031). Total Kcal spent: Latin 62.84 ± 15.47, Zumba 67.22 ± 16.91, and Twerk 32.18 ± 7.90 (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The overweight/obesity prevalence in Mexican women and its health implications have precipitated an increased awareness in the value of exercise prescription and adherence. These preliminary results show that Zumba generates greater energy expenditure. They also reveal that Zumba is more popular among older participants with higher BMI and fat percentage. Future studies should be longitudinal, investigate the effects of intensity of exercise and dietary habits on weight loss, and include participants of other weight classifications and dance fitness classes. Possible limitations include small sample size and unequal sample sizes.