Cardiovascular fitness and recovery rate through Zumba exercise

A quasi-experimental research using the time-series design was employed to evaluate the cardiovascular fitness and heart rate recovery of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) students exposed to zumba exercise. 66 NSTP students of Aklan State University, Western Visayas, Philippines took part as subjects of the study. The students' heart rate recovery (HRR) was the cardiovascular measure that was studied. The pulse oximeter was used to measure the heart rate of the students participating in the zumba exercise. The resting heart rate (RHR) of the students was monitored during the 6-week duration of the activity. Results revealed that there was a significant difference in the HRR of the students evaluated using the 1-minute test and the 2-minute test. A significant difference also existed in the students’ heart rate recovery using the 1-minute test between week 1 and week 6, week 2 and week 6, and week 2 and week 5. It was also revealed that, in a 2-minute test, a significant difference in the students’ HRR happened between week 1 and week 3, week 1 and week 5, week 1 and week 6, week 2 and week 4, week 2 and week 5, week 2 and week 6, week 3 and week 5, and week 3 and week 6. It was also revealed that there was a significant inverse relationship between students’ RHR and HRR in a 1-minute test. A significant inverse relationship also existed between students’ RHR and HRR in a 2-minute test. Moreover, a significant direct relationship exists between the students’ RHR and HRR in a 1-minute test. Hence, the heart rate recovery of the students had improved while participating in the Zumba Dance Exercise. The findings suggest that participation in the Zumba Dance Exercise significantly improved both the RHR and HRR of the students over the course of the program. These enhancements reflect better cardiovascular fitness and health, underscoring the importance of incorporating regular aerobic exercise like Zumba into the routine for improving heart health in youth.