The Effect of Eight Weeks of Zumba Exercises on Kinesiophobia Views in Sedentary Women

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of eight-week zumba exercises on kinesiophobia views in sedentary women. The survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. Forty sedentary female participants (age: 46.45±5.40 years, weight: 69.97±13.62 kg, height: 162.90±5.52 cm, BMI: 26.41±5.24 kg/m2) were randomly selected. Participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Participants were enrolled in eight weeks (2 days/week) of outdoor Zumba training. Kinesiophobia levels were measured before and after the exercise with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale developed by Miller et al. Kinesiophobia levels were also analyzed according to smoking and alcohol use, chronic disease and income status. Repeated Measures Anova test was used for statistical analysis. The kinesiophobia levels of the participants did not change significantly after eight weeks of Zumba exercise (p>0.05). The kinesiophobia levels of the participants were not significantly affected by smoking [F (2, 17) =.832, η2p= .089, p=.452], alcohol use [F (2, 17) =.221, η2p= .025, p=. 804], having a chronic disease [F (2, 17) =1.911, η2p= .096, p=.184], and income status [F (2, 17) =.132, η2p= .015, p=.878]. However, the effect size of the change in those with chronic disease was within Cohen's high reference interval. In conclusion, eight weeks of Zumba exercises did not change the level of kinesiophobia in sedentary women. However, the most surprising finding in our study was that the effect size of the change in those with chronic disease parameters was very high. This may be thought to be due to the high baseline level of kinesiophobia in those with chronic diseases. Therefore, individuals with chronic diseases can perform Zumba exercises under the supervision of a doctor.