Adiposity, Physical Fitness
Conditions
Keywords
Zumba, Exercise, Flexibility, Children, Body Fat
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 10-week Zumba dance-based exercise program on body fat (adiposity) and flexibility in healthy 8-year-old children. The study also aims to explore if these effects differ between boys and girls. Participants will take part in a 10-week Zumba exercise program. Researchers will measure the children's body composition (body fat percentage) and physical fitness (flexibility and abdominal endurance) before the program begins (baseline) and immediately after the 10-week intervention is completed.
Detailed description
Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are growing global health concerns. Engaging children in enjoyable physical activities is crucial for their physical development and overall health. Zumba, a dance-based exercise, offers a fun and rhythmic alternative to traditional exercises, which may increase participation and adherence among children. This prospective intervention study aims to evaluate the gender-specific effects of a 10-week Zumba dance-based exercise program on pediatric adiposity and flexibility. Healthy 8-year-old children will participate in a structured Zumba program (consisting of 40-minute sessions, 3 days a week) for 10 weeks. Anthropometric measurements (to assess adiposity via body fat percentage) and physical fitness tests (including the sit-and-reach test for flexibility and sit-up test for abdominal endurance) are conducted at baseline and after the 10-week intervention. The findings will help determine the effectiveness of Zumba as a school-based or extracurricular physical activity intervention for improving body composition and physical fitness in prepubertal children.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALZumba Dance-Based Exercise Program
A 10-week structured Zumba program consisting of 40-minute sessions, conducted 3 days a week.
Sponsors
Ege University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This is a single-group, pre-test/post-test prospective intervention study where all participants receive a 10-week Zumba exercise program.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 8 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy children aged exactly 8 years. Voluntary participation with signed written informed consent from parents or legal guardians. Ability to understand and follow basic exercise instructions.
Exclusion criteria
Any physical, orthopedic, or neurological disability that would prevent participation in a dance-based exercise program. Diagnosis of any chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease. Regular participation in other structured sports or dance programs outside of the school curriculum during the study period. Missing more than 20% of the total Zumba sessions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Adiposity (Body Fat Percentage) | Baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 10-week intervention (Week 10) | Adiposity will be evaluated by measuring the children's body fat percentage using standard anthropometric methods. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Flexibility | Baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 10-week intervention (Week 10) | Flexibility will be measured using the standard sit-and-reach test. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAYŞEN ÇALIKUŞU, PHD
Ege University
Outcome results
None listed