Abstract
1/2012
vol. 29
Original paper
EFFECT OF LOW-IMPACT AEROBIC DANCE
EXERCISE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
(STRESS) AMONG SEDENTARY WOMEN IN
MALAYSIA
Biol. Sport 2012;29:63-69
Online publish date: 2014/08/22
The present study investigated the effect of twelve weeks of low-impact aerobic dance exercise
intervention (“aero-mass” dance exercise) on psychological health (stress) among sedentary working women,
specifically in Malaysia. Sedentary participants (age range = 40 – 55 years; N = 40: BMI > 25) were randomly
assigned to two groups: an intervention treatment of “aero mass aerobic dancing” and conventional low-impact
aerobic dancing. Classes were held for 50 minutes, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. Repeated measures were
examined at week 1, week 8 and week 12. Mixed repeated ANOVA revealed statistically significant time effects
for Total Stress Scores (p < 0.01) with eta square =0.59 (large effect) at week 8 and week 12. Furthermore,
the time by group interaction was also statistically significant for total stress score (p < 0.05) with eta square = 0.18
(large effect). In addition, the result for between-subject effects indicates significant F (1, 38)=7.74, p < 0.05,
eta = 0.17, and therefore there was a significant difference in the stress level scores in the intervention group
compared to the control group. Subjects of the intervention group, “aero mass aerobics dancing”, experienced
the most benefits.
intervention (“aero-mass” dance exercise) on psychological health (stress) among sedentary working women,
specifically in Malaysia. Sedentary participants (age range = 40 – 55 years; N = 40: BMI > 25) were randomly
assigned to two groups: an intervention treatment of “aero mass aerobic dancing” and conventional low-impact
aerobic dancing. Classes were held for 50 minutes, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. Repeated measures were
examined at week 1, week 8 and week 12. Mixed repeated ANOVA revealed statistically significant time effects
for Total Stress Scores (p < 0.01) with eta square =0.59 (large effect) at week 8 and week 12. Furthermore,
the time by group interaction was also statistically significant for total stress score (p < 0.05) with eta square = 0.18
(large effect). In addition, the result for between-subject effects indicates significant F (1, 38)=7.74, p < 0.05,
eta = 0.17, and therefore there was a significant difference in the stress level scores in the intervention group
compared to the control group. Subjects of the intervention group, “aero mass aerobics dancing”, experienced
the most benefits.
Keywords
total stress score, aerobic dancing, “Aero-Mass” dance exercise, low impact
Integrated with
