HEART RATE AND RPE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AEROBIC DANCE AND CARDIO-KICKBOXING

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the difference in heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) between cardio-kickboxing (CK) and aerobic dance (AD). Fourteen college-age women (M ± SD; age 21.57 ± 3.13 y, weight 64.66 ± 9.96 kg, height 166.20 ± 6.09 cm, VO2 max 39.83 ± 1.94 ml kg min−1) were randomly assigned to group A or B. VO2 max, age, height, and weight were not significantly different between the groups, but resting HR was significantly different (p = 0.0328). A two-period crossover design consisting of two treatments (AD and CK) was used. In period 2, group A did AD first, followed by group B doing CK. In period 2, group A did CK first, followed by group B doing AD. HR and RPE were measured three times (t1, t2, t3) during the activity. No significant difference was noted in treatment order, and the groups were combined for statistical analysis. Mean HR (bpm) for AD at t1, t2, and t3 are 154.36 ± 14.62, 164.14 ± 14.66, and 167.80 ± 9.25, respectively, and for CK are 158.14 ± 10.37, 170.0 ± 11.29, and 171.5 ± 10.52, respectively. CK produced a significantly higher mean HR (p = 0.019). Mean RPE for AD at t1, t2, and t3 are 11.07 ± 1.82, 13.36 ± 2.17, and 14.64 ± 2.44, respectively, and for CK are 12.43 ± 2.47, 14.43 ± 2.28, and 15.86 ± 2.45, respectively. CK produced significantly higher RPEs than AD (p = 0.0339). These results suggest that CK increases HR intensity and is perceived to be more difficult than AD. The amount of martial arts skills, cardio-respiratory endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination, and muscular strength and endurance needed for CK may be more than AD.