Salsa dance and Zumba fitness: Acute responses during community-based classes

Background： Research interest in both partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance has increased in recent years, likely a result of the gaining popularity of these types of instructor-led group classes among the mainstream dance and fitness audiences; however, the efficacy of these activities for the purposes of health promotion currently remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously assess the physiological responses and psychological experiences during salsa dance and Zumba fitness in a community sample of physically inactive women. Methods： Twenty-four participants, aged 22-56 years, visited the laboratory to perform a graded exercise test for determination of maximal oxygen uptake and maximal heart rate. The participants then attended 2 partnered salsa dance and 2 non-partnered Zumba fitness classes each in a counterbalanced order over a 2-week period. The 1-h classes were taught by certified instructors in established venues in the Royal Borough of Kingston and the surrounding communities of London, UK. Physiological data were collected using a wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3X＋ acceler- ometer with accompanying heart rate monitor and were processed using previously validated dance-specific techniques. Psychological experiences were measured via the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale. Results： There was a significantly higher （p 〈 0.001） total time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity （51.2± 3.1 vs. 32.6 ±5.9 min）, total energy expenditure （411±66 vs. 210 ± 46 kcal）, and total step count （6773 ± 556 vs. 4108 ±781 steps） during Zumba fitness when compared to salsa dance. Significant pre- to post-class improvements in positive well-being （p 〈 0.01, partial 7/2 = 0.4l） and psychological distress （p 〈 0.001, partial 02 = 0.72） were simultaneously observed for both salsa dance and Zumba fitness. Conclusion： The acute responses to classes of partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance suggest that in physically inactive women participation is indeed efficacious in terms of community-based physical activity and psychosocial health promotion.

Dancing into a New Culture

When I arrived in Beijing four years ago, it was not an easy transition. Starting from restau- rants to language class disap- pointments, to irritation with the feeling of millions of eyes on my dreadlocks, I felt it was taking centuries to feel like a resident. The sense of being a stranger was con- stant.

Dancing to the Tune of World Culture

WHEN the evening lights up with colorful lights, the crescendos of music signal that the carnival parade at Shenzhen’s "World Plaza" is about to start. About ten cars with exotic decorations stream out into the Plaza, a prelude to every evening’s spectacular show of international flavors. The royal cavalry, the military band, the all-nation flag team, the masquerade team, the Spanish dance of Don Quixote, the stilt-walkers, the clowns...they are all walking in-between the colorful cars that dazzle the audience. The art troupe active at the Plaza, known as the "Five Continents Art Troupe," is composed of performers from all over the world, including