A Comparison of Aerobic Dance and Zumba Fitness on the Health-related Fitness in Female University Students

Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of aerobic dance (continuous exercise) and Zumba fitness (intermittent exercise) on the health-related fitness of female university students. Methods: Overall, 54 healthy female volunteers (18.45 + 0.49 years old) were assigned to an aerobic dance group, a Zumba fitness dance group, or a control group. Results: We found that the Zumba fitness group had more muscle strength and endurance than the aerobic and control groups (all ps < .05). Likewise, the Zumba fitness group had a lower percentage of fat than the aerobic and control groups (p < .05), but there was no such difference between the aerobic and control groups. In addition, there was no statistically significant differences among aerobic dance, Zumba fitness, and control groups for flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance. However, both aerobic and Zumba exercises can reduce the percentage of body fat and are able to strengthen cardiorespiratory endurance (p <.05). Conclusions: Among female students, Zumba fitness can develop muscle strength and endurance and fat percentage better than aerobic dance, but not necessarily improve their development of cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility. These results are useful for enhancing exercise activities in early adulthood.