Community-Based Exercise Classes for All: A Success Story

Background: As part of a county sponsored, tax funded program designed to improve access to health services, free community-based health education and wellness classes are being offered to all residents of one Florida county. One component of this program is two dance-based exercise classes, Zumba and Salsa aerobics, provided by the local county health department. Since 2009, the number of dance-based classes has grown from several each month to 13 weekly classes throughout the county with 914 participants in January 2010. The purpose of this program evaluation was to evaluate these dance-based exercise classes and to determine participants' perceptions of the effects of the program on their health. Methods: Data for this mixed methods program evaluation included two focus groups and an anonymous survey. Focus groups were conducted with participants from two Zumba exercise classes, one urban and one rural. Anonymous surveys were distributed at 12 Zumba and Salsa Aerobics classes during one week in January 2010. Thematic analysis was conducted on the focus group data and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data. Results: The focus groups consisted of 13 participants, seven white, six black. Themes focused on 1) improvements in overall health, e.g. decrease in blood pressure (BP), weight loss, increased strength, improved mood, and increase in energy; 2) changes in health-related behaviors, e.g. eating healthier, increased engagement in other forms of physical activity; and 3) increased social support which helped keep participants engaged in the fitness program. 153 surveys were completed with a 58% response rate. Respondents were primarily female (98%), with white, black, and African American being the most common self-identified race/ethnicity. 57% of respondents reported additional changes in health-related behaviors since starting the program and 86% reported increased motivation to become more physically active. Conclusion: Participation in community-sponsored dance-based exercise classes (e.g. Zumba and Salsa aerobics) can motivate participants to increase physical activity and lead healthier lives, which in turn, can promote other health-related improvements such as a weight loss, reduction in BP, and improved strength, energy, and mood.