Effects of Aerobic Zumba Dance Exercise on Leg Power and Agility Fitness Levels Among Retired Older Adults in Akwa Ibom State

Idongesit John John; Udobong Henry Morrison; Enobong Ubong Okoko

Authors

Idongesit John John Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo
Udobong Henry Morrison Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo
Enobong Ubong Okoko Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo

Keywords:

Aerobic Zumba Fitness, Leg Power Agility Fitness, Retired Older Adults, Motor Fitness, Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The study examined the effects of aerobic Zumba dance exercise on leg power and agility fitness among retired older adults in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria. The quasi-experimental (Interrupted Time-Series) design was used for the study. The area of the study is AkwaIbom State. The area of the study is AkwaIbom State. The population of the participants who volunteered for the study, and identified as older adults, was initially 150 retired older adults (these included12women; aged between 65 years and above); who took part in the study. A population of 150 retired older adult began the programme in Uyo with 68 participant, Eket, 47 participants and IkotEkpene, 35 participants. The instruments for the study are already standardized instruments, invented for the purpose they were made for. To ensure reliability of the weighing scale, a standard weight lifting barbell of 1 kg was always placed to set a scale-pointer correctly at 1kg. After the posttest measurement, the data sorted out were treated with the Descriptive Statistics to answer the research questions. The Paired sample t-test statistical (PTS) was used to test the hypotheses, set at probability alpha significant level of .05. The findings from the study showed that there is significant difference between the pretest and posttest means of leg power fitness (LEPF) level of the retired older adults in Akwa Ibom State; showing significant improvement in the leg power fitness (LEPF) level. The study concluded that aerobic Zumba exercise is effective in enhancing motor fitness components in older adults. It was recommended that healthcare providers can consider suggesting structured group dance exercise like Zumba as a complementary, non-pharmacological intervention for older adults with pre-hypertensionor as part of a controlled hypertension management plan.

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