Promoting College Students’ Physical Activity Enjoyment and Motivation in a Semester-Long Zumba Fitness Course

Abstract

ABSTRACT Regular physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve cognitive function and emotional health. Unfortunately, many college students are inactive and at risk for chronic diseases and mental health conditions. Therefore, innovative exercise interventions that promote PA in this population are needed. PA adherence is enhanced when the experience promotes positive affect, and intrinsic factors drive participants. Zumba fitness is a popular group exercise class that provides a unique experience in which intrinsic motivation and positive affect are reinforced. This study aimed to implement and evaluate an online synchronous Zumba fitness course to promote PA among college students. Pre- and post-surveys assessed leisure-time PA, intrinsic motivation, and exercise affect. Also, participants (16 female students) reported affect state, need satisfaction, and enjoyment at the end of the Zumba session bi-weekly throughout the semester. Results indicated an overall positive trend from the start to the end of the semester and within individual Zumba sessions. Intrinsic motivation and exercise affect did not significantly increase, but self-reported MVPA increased significantly with a large effect size (d = 1.05). On the post-course evaluations, all students strongly agreed that they enjoyed the course and agreed or strongly agreed that it increased their motivation for physical activity. In addition, students reported enjoying the upbeat music, fun moves, and informative lectures. These findings suggest strategies other PA course instructors can adopt to provide enjoyable PA experiences and promote students’ continued PA participation.