Aqua Zumba versus Aqua Jogging: Comparative effects on health parameters among obese middle age women

Abstract

Background:Obesity is major contributor to diseases and mortality. Constant weight loss significantly reverses the diseases related to obesityand prolonged human life expectancy. Limited scientific evidence comparing the effectiveness between Aqua Zumba® Fitness program and aqua jog in obese women. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects between 12 weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness and aqua jog on health parameters among middle-age women.Methods:A total of sixty previously sedentary obese women (BMI >30 kg/m2), aged 40-59 years old were randomized to either Aqua Zumba® Fitness (AZ, n=20), aqua jog (AJ, n=20) or control group (C, n=20). Exercise groups were involved in 12-weeks of different aqua exercise programmes, 3 times per week, 60 minutes per session, with the intensity of 50-75% of maximum heart rate. Body mass (BM), lean mass (LM), body fat percentage (BF%), abdominal fat (WC), upper and lower body strength (UBS and LBS), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and flexibility were measured at baseline (week-0) and post-exercise intervention (week-13). Result:Both trained groups demonstrated significant changes (p<0.05) in all selected health parameters following 12 weeks of exercise programmes. However, this study found that AZ group produced significant superior change on the improvement of LM, WC, UBS and LBS (P<0.05) compared to AJ group. Conclusion:  As a result, Aqua Zumba® Fitness elicits better improvement on health among obese middle-age women compared aqua jog.