Are physiological characteristics of Caribbean dance useful for health?

AIM: Although the current literature underlines the main role of physical inactivity in the development of chronic diseases and premature death, 65% of adults do not reach the minimum movement levels required to maintain and improve health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the metabolic and cardiocirculatory characteristics of a single lesson of Caribbean dance fit with international recommendations to improve health through movement. METHODS: Energy expenditure, exercise intensity, mean heart rate and blood pressure response to a 90-minute lesson were analysed in 24 beginner and 24 experienced dancers (mean age 33.93+/-9.98 years). RESULTS: MANCOVA was used to analyse energy expenditure and exercise intensity of our sample, stratified for gender and experience. Body weight was inserted as a covariate. Experienced had a major total energy expenditure (372.75+/- 75.32 vs 297.33+/-87.54 kcal; P<0.001), minutes of exercise intensity >6 metabolic equivalents (METs) (8.04+/-10.65 vs 1.47+/-2.16; P<0.001), mean METs (3.81+/-0.32 vs 3.42+/-0.37; P<0.05) and mean heart rate (60.68+/-1.35 vs 53.24+/-3.91 %HRR; P<0.001) than beginner dancers. There were no statistical differences in blood pressure values. CONCLUSIONS: Caribbean dance fits with international guidelines to improve health and can aid the promotion and enhancement of health through its physiological characteristics, and may reduce drop-out due to a reduced motivation to move.