Effects of a 10-Week Zumba Program on Adiposity and Flexibility in 8-Year-Old Children

GENDER-SPESIFIC EFFECTS OF A 10-WEEK ZUMBA DANCE-BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM ON PEDIATRIC ADIPOSITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN HEALTHY 8-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN: A PROSPECTIVE INTERVENTION STUDY

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 10-week Zumba dance-based exercise program on body fat (adiposity) and flexibility in healthy 8-year-old children. The study also aims to explore if these effects differ between boys and girls. Participants will take part in a 10-week Zumba exercise program. Researchers will measure the children's body composition (body fat percentage) and physical fitness (flexibility and abdominal endurance) before the program begins (baseline) and immediately after the 10-week intervention is completed.

Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are growing global health concerns. Engaging children in enjoyable physical activities is crucial for their physical development and overall health. Zumba, a dance-based exercise, offers a fun and rhythmic alternative to traditional exercises, which may increase participation and adherence among children.

This prospective intervention study aims to evaluate the gender-specific effects of a 10-week Zumba dance-based exercise program on pediatric adiposity and flexibility. Healthy 8-year-old children will participate in a structured Zumba program (consisting of 40-minute sessions, 3 days a week) for 10 weeks. Anthropometric measurements (to assess adiposity via body fat percentage) and physical fitness tests (including the sit-and-reach test for flexibility and sit-up test for abdominal endurance) are conducted at baseline and after the 10-week intervention. The findings will help determine the effectiveness of Zumba as a school-based or extracurricular physical activity intervention for improving body composition and physical fitness in prepubertal children.

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy children aged exactly 8 years.

Voluntary participation with signed written informed consent from parents or legal guardians.

Ability to understand and follow basic exercise instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

Any physical, orthopedic, or neurological disability that would prevent participation in a dance-based exercise program.

Diagnosis of any chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease.

Regular participation in other structured sports or dance programs outside of the school curriculum during the study period.

Missing more than 20% of the total Zumba sessions.