ABSTRACT

Background: Physical activities improve physical fitness by positively affecting body composition. For body composition improvement, in modern times, zumba and pilates practices have been popular exercises for sedentary women.

Purpose: In this study, the effects of Zumba and Pilates exercises on body composition of sedentary women were analyzed.

Method: 28 sedentary women who voluntarily participated in this study were randomly selected and joined the zumba exercise group (n: 13; age: 31,23 ± 2,5; height: 165,38 ± 1,3; weight: 74,53 ± 2,1; BMI: 26,09 ± 0,7) and Pilates (n: 15, age: 29,13 ± 1; height: 167,53 ± 1,1; weight: 69,88 ± 4,7; BMI: 24,26 ± 1,4). Waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and waist / hip ratio measurements were taken from the participants before and after the exercise. Zumba and Pilates exercises were applied 3 days a week, 60 minutes a day for a total of 10 weeks. SPSS23 package program was used for data analysis.

Results: It was determined that the post-test values for body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip, hipline and leg circumference separately for zumba and Pilates groups were statistically significant according to the pre-test results (p <0.05) obtained in the test. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in waist / hip ratio (p> 0.05). In addition, it was observed that there was no difference in any parameter (p> 0.05) when the posttest comparisons between zumba and Pilates groups were examined.

Conclusion; As a conclusion, it has been determined that 10-week zumba and Pilates exercises have significant effects on the BMI and body composition of sedentary women. It can be said that regular zumba and Pilates exercises can be preferred for the improvement of body composition and health in women.

Keywords: Zumba, Pilates, Body Composition, BMI, Physical Fitness