Influence of Self-Administered Dance Video vs Teacher Led Class on Physical Activity Participation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: African American girls are at particular risk for the development of overweight and obesity. Participation in physical activity has been associated with lowered risk for overweight and obesity; however, it is difficult to identify modes of exercise that appeal to young girls which are also assessable, affordable, and effective. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to examine the influence of a population specific dance video as a way to increase physical activity levels in young African American girls. METHODS. Thirty girls self-selected into one of two groups. One group was instructed to use the video at home at least 3 days/week for four weeks (n=12). The other group met at a community center and participated in an exercise class led by a teacher using the video choreography (n=17). Participation in physical activity was determined by tracking steps with a pedometer. Participants wore pedometers and steps were averaged over four days before and after implementation of the program (self-administered vs teacher led). RESULTS: A repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that there was not a time by group interaction (F =.543, p >.05) for the participants' average number of steps per day. Overall results indicated that all participants significantly increased number of steps per day. On average, those participants in the self-administered group increased steps/day from 6,153 to 7,172 (t(11) = -2.45; p =.032). The teacher-led group increased their steps per day from 6,399 to 7,309 (t(17) = -2.31; p =.034). Participants who attended the teacher-led program did not significantly differ (in steps per day) from the group who used the video at home. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a population specific exercise video by young girls led to increased participation in physical activity in this pilot study. The development and use of other population specific exercise programs which can be self-administered at home via electronic media should be further explored.