DANCE, INTENSITY AND WOMEN'S CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF HEMODYNAMIC VARIABLES DURING ZUMBA PRACTICE

Abstract

Zumba is a type of aerobic physical activity based on Latin dances such as salsa, merengue, and bambo. The objective of this study was to verify the behavior of heart rate and blood pressure in women practicing the Zumba dance modality. The activities are carried out at the Unified Arts and Sports Center in the Mauro Bento sector in the city of Jataí-Goiás, with participants with an average age of 46 years. Blood pressure measurements were taken at the beginning, middle, and end of the activity, along with heart rate. In addition to these objectives, a literature review on the subject was conducted to identify hemodynamic aspects of heart rate and blood pressure applied to physical exercise. The sample consisted of 20 women with an average age of 46 years, ranging from 19 to 63 years. The initial average heart rate was 84.2, the average heart rate during the exercise session was 135.6, and the final average heart rate was 118, characterizing the class as vigorous intensity. The initial average blood pressure was 88.9, the average blood pressure during the exercise session was 88.9, and the final average blood pressure was 87.3, thus considering the group as normotensive. It was concluded that physical activity plays an important role in disease prevention, physiological improvement, physical conditioning, and social integration; therefore, Zumba is a beneficial activity for health. Active individuals showed better cardiac efficiency and lower blood pressure values.