Examining of the effects of aerobic dance and step dance exercises on some hematological parameters and blood lipids

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the the effects of aerobic and step dance exercises on hematological and blood lipids parameters. 32 university students were voluntarily participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to aerobic dance (N=16) and step dances (N=16). All groups were participated an hour aerobic or step dance exercise session 2 times in a week during 3 months. Wilcoxon Sign test was used to analyze pretest and posttest results of variables. As results, significant differences were found in the pre- and post-intervention scores for triglycerides (TC), red blood cell (RBC), and hematocrit (HCT) in Step dance group. Although there were decreases in triglycerides levels for both aerobic dance and step dance groups, only significant reduction was found in step dance group. Step dance exercises was better than aerobic dance in terms of increasing RBC and decreasing cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol level. Aerobic dance exercises were better than step dance in terms of increasing high density lipoproteins (HDL). Moreover, when comparing the level of decreasing of Hemoglobin (HGB) significantly, aerobic dance group were better than step dance group. HCT increased significantly more in step dance group as compared with aerobic dance group. Step dance cause more increment than aerobic dance in terms of platetes (PLT) level. The data of this study indicates that step dance is more effective than aerobic dance in terms of decreasing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and cholesterol for university students.