There is no doubt thar Zumba ( formerly known as aerobics, jazzercise, sweatin' to the oldies, etc.) is popular, especially with women. But is it effective? There are currently no published, peer-reviewed scientific studies that we can review.
There is, however, a study performed by a consulting company for a Zumba informercial producer that shows Zumba is effective for the Zumba instructors! 12 women and 9 men, average age 32, performed two of the more challenging Zumba programs for 60 minutes. Kilocalories expended were reported at between 480 and 776. And heart rate reserve was between 65.6 and 92.5%, considered moderate to high intensity.
As Dr. Mary Sanders reports in the latest ACSM Health and Fitness Journal, more research is needed to determine exactly what results are obtained by the actualparticipants, the students, and not the instructors. For now, Zumba will have to rely on its' claim of being "the dance party lifestyle." Me? I'll just put on some of my favorite music and dance around the living room.
(There's) No Room to Rhumba in a Sports Car (Fun in Acapulco, 1963)
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