Effects of 8-week of fitness classes on blood pressure, body composition, and physical fitness

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fitness activities such as indoor cycling (IC), Zumba® (ZU) and body pump (BP) are practiced by large segments of population. There are no studies showing which kind of fitness activity can produce more health benefits. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 8-week of IC, alone or combined with ZU (IC+ZU), or BP (IC+BP), on blood pressure, body composition, and physical fitness. METHODS: Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to four groups: IC, IC+ZU, IC+BP or control group (CG). Before and after 8-week of training, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fat, lean and bone mass, body circumferences, resting heart rate, aerobic fitness, limbs strength and vertical jump height (VJH) were assessed. RESULTS: The IC and IC+ZU experienced significant decreases in SBP and DBP, which were significantly greater, compared to CG. Between-group comparisons showed greater decreases in body mass (BM) and body fat mass percentage (BFM) in IC compared to all groups, also significant differences were observed between IC+ZU and IC+B with CG. Decreases in neck, pectoral, waist and hip circumferences were found in IC, IC+ZU and IC+BP compared to CG. All experimental groups significantly increased 10RM leg press and leg flexion, VJH and VO2max compared to CG. CONCLUSIONS: Fitness classes of IC, alone or combined with ZU or BP, are effective in reducing blood pressure and improving body composition and physical fitness. The IC is the most effective in reducing BM and BFM.