The authors concluded that, based
upon their findings, Zumba Gold meets
the guidelines for improving/maintaining
cardiorespiratory fitness. Additionally, the
authors state that their results indicate that
Zumba Gold was found to be moderate
intensity exercise (3 to 6 METS) as it averaged
4.4 METS (range 2.1 to 6.9 METS). The
rationale for the importance of determining
Zumba Gold as a ‘moderate intensity’
activity is due to the health-related benefits
for participants (given high compliance).
Pros: Thi s is a good initial investigation
assessing the cardiometabolic response to
Zumba Gold in mature-aged participants.
Cons: It would have been beneficial for the
researchers to conduct a longitudinal study
of 16 weeks and assess participants at week
8 and 16 to determine any improvements
in cardiometabolic parameters (VO2max,
resting heart rate/blood pressure, lipid
(cholesterol) levels).
Title: Is the Zumba fitness responsible for low back
pain?
Author: Dr’s Notarnicola, Maccagnano, Pesce,
Tafuri, Leo and Moretti. (Orthopedics Section,
Department of Basical Medical Sciences, University
of Study of Bari, General Hospital, Italy)
Source: Musculoskeletal Surgery (2015). Volume
99, pp211-216
Introduction: As fitness professionals we
prescribe various modes of exercise for a
number of reasons, including health, fitness
and social. However, specific modes and/or
intensities of exercise may be contraindicated
(relative or absolute) depending upon an
individual’s limitations (medical and/or
musculoskeletal). Furthermore, exercises
inherently can induce injury, generally if
repetitious, too intense or performed with
improper technique.
The Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare reports that approximately 14 per
cent of the Australian population suffers
from back problems, and that 70 to 90 per
cent of all Australians will suffer from low
back pain in their lifetime.
NSW chiropractors have claimed that
Zumba can cause muscle soreness or injury,
and that not having good technique can lead
to painful sprains, strains and low back pain.
Others have also made these claims.
Methods: Dr Notarnicola and colleagues
investigated the effects of low back pain
in Zumba participants over a six-month
period. A total of 50 young, healthy females
participated in this study, 25 in the Zumba
group (Zumba exercise only) and 25 inactive
controls for comparison. All participants
completed a disability questionnaire
(Roland–Morris), a low back pain disability
questionnaire (Oswestry) and a spinal
functional sort test (quantifies the ability to
perform work tasks that involve the spine
and lower extremities).
Results: The inactive group had
decreases in physical functioning and the
Zumba group had improvement in spine
function. There were no differences between
groups with regard to episodes of back pain,
prompting the authors to conclude that
Zumba does not induce back pain.
Pros: A good finding that Zumba does
not induce back pain. Zumba may be a
suitable ‘moderate intensity’ activity for
middle-aged clients and the movements are
unlikely to cause back pain.
Cons: The authors reported ‘dropout’ for
both groups (three in each group), however
they should have also reported compliance,
particularly for the Zumba group.
Associate Professor Mike Climstein, PhD FASMF
FACSM FAAESS is one of Australia’s leading
Accredited Exercise Physiologists and researchers.
[email protected]
Joe Walsh, MSc is a sport and exercise scientist.
As well as working for Charles Darwin and Bond
Universities, he is a director of Fitness Clinic in Five
Dock, Sydney. fitnessclinic.com.au
The 30-second article
• Prompted by previous research
findings that participation in regular
Zumba classes resulted in a heart
rate of approximately 80% HRmax,
which may be too high for many
older individuals, researchers
explored the cardiometabolic
responses of Zumba Gold.
• The average heart rate response for
the 45-minute Zumba Gold class
was approximately 114 beats per
minute, which corresponded to
approximately 50% of the agepredicted heart rate reserve and
50% of the participants’ VO 2max
• Prompted by anecdotal evidence that
participating in Zumba workouts could
cause muscle soreness or injury,
another group of researchers
investigated the effects of low back
pain in Zumba participants over a
six-month period
• In addition to experiencing no more
episodes of back pain than a
comparison inactive control group, the
Zumba practitioners exhibited an
improvement in spine function.
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