Session Information
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2016
Session Title: Other
Session Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Location: Exhibit Hall located in Hall B, Level 2
Objective: To investigate the effects of several Zumba Gold® dance styles and number of sessions attended on biomechanical and physiological load in people with Parkinson’s (PD).
Background: Zumba Gold® is a workout based on various Latin dance styles (merengue, cumbia, salsa, belly dance, reggaeton, and pop) for older adults that could benefit mobility and well-being. While previous research described the physiological responses of healthy older adults during Zumba Gold®, there is no evidence to support the suitability of all dance styles involved in this exercise type in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Methods: Eleven participants (age: 64.0±8.1 years) with mild-to-moderate idiopathic PD (Hoehn & Yahr stage < 3.0) took part in a screening session, followed by six Zumba Gold® workouts each separated by one week, and a follow-up interview six months later. During all sessions, biomechanical load and activity levels were characterised using gravity corrected single vector magnitude (SVMg) measured by tri-axial accelerometers, while physiological load was assessed by average heart rate (HRmean). A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures assessed the effects of dance styles and session number on activity level and HR.
Results: No significant differences in HRmean values were similar between dance styles and HRmean were within the ACSM recommendations in 50% of participants. 
Backwards steps reduced physiological load but improvements in biomechanical variables between the first and last sessions show that steps could be learnt with time. 
Conclusions: Zumba Gold® represents a high enough physiological load for people with mild PD, while less physiological load was experienced in moderate PD. Further studies are needed to assess the potential benefits of this type of activity on motor and non-motor symptoms associated with PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Delextrat, J. Bateman, P. Esser, N. Targen, H. Dawes, M.A. Delextrat. Physiological and biomechanical responses of people with Parkinson’s during Zumba Gold®: Effects of dance styles and number of sessions [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2016; 31 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/physiological-and-biomechanical-responses-of-people-with-parkinsons-during-zumba-gold-effects-of-dance-styles-and-number-of-sessions/. Accessed November 22, 2024.« Back to 2016 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/physiological-and-biomechanical-responses-of-people-with-parkinsons-during-zumba-gold-effects-of-dance-styles-and-number-of-sessions/