Effects of moderate-to-high-intensity Zumba exercise on cardiovascular function and morphology in perimenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The effects of regular aerobic exercise on blood vessel morphology in perimenopausal women have not been elucidated. Zumba is characterized by the seamless fusion of Latin-inspired movements and energizing music.METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effects of Zumba dance on cardiovascular health in perimenopausal women. We herein evaluated blood pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and carotid ultrasonography in sedentary (SED, N.=23) and Zumba exercise (Zumba-EX, N.=21) groups.RESULTS: Compared with the SED group, the Zumba-EX group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure (P<0.05). The Zumba-EX group also showed significant decreases in baPWV (Zumba-EX vs. SED: left: 1186.5±28.9 vs. 1240.5±36.7; right: 1174.1±28.8 vs. 1265.9±31.2, both P<0.05). Zumba-EX group exhibited significant reductions in Resistive Index (P<0.01). Moreover, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was significantly reduced in the Zumba-EX group compared with the SED group (Zumba-EX vs. SED: 0.634±0.015 vs. 0.712±0.012, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: In the cross-sectional study, regular Zumba exercise has been proven to exert significant positive effects on body composition. Additionally, it reduced aPWV, decreased arterial resistance, and lowered cIMT, thereby reducing cardiovascular health risks in perimenopausal women.