The Effects of Virtual Zumba® in Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

Summary

There are critical knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to understand the impact of aerobic exercise programs on relevant functional outcomes in adults with developmental disabilities (DD). This study will build upon previous literature by examining the impact of a 10-week (2x a week; 60-minutes per session) virtual adapted aerobic dance intervention (adapted Zumba®) in adults with DD ages 20-69 (n=58). Participants will be quasi-randomized to one of three groups: control (normal activities), low-tempo Zumba®, and high-tempo Zumba®. The quasi-randomization enables the investigators to ensure similarities in relevant demographic factors (e.g., disability type, age, sex) across the three groups. This design will enable the investigators to determine the effects of Zumba® and the impact of tempo level on relevant outcome measures. Participants will compete testing three times - pre-test, post-test, and a 4-week follow-up test - to determine the immediate and long-term benefits of Zumba®. Changes in functional mobility (Timed Up-And-Go), balance (Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance), aerobic capacity (6-minute Walk Test), and executive functioning (Flanker) will be assessed. During the program, participants' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) will be measured using accelerometry. Compared to the control group, the investigators hypothesize that both Zumba groups will show an improvement in body composition, balance, functional mobility, executive functioning, aerobic capacity, and MVPA during the program. Moreover, the investigators hypothesize that the high tempo group will improve body composition, balance, functional mobility, executive functioning, aerobic capacity, and MVPA during the program more than the low tempo.

Conditions

• Developmental Disability
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Down Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Zumba High Tempo

The Zumba high tempo group will complete a 10-week (2x a week; 60 minutes per session) virtual adapted aerobic dance intervention (adapted Zumba®). Each session will consist of: a warm-up (3-5 minutes), 5-6 songs with instruction (40 minutes), and a cool down (5 minutes) for a total of about 60 minutes including rest/water breaks and time to transition. The only difference between the two adapted Zumba® programs will be the speed at which the songs will be played and the number of times through each song. The songs for the high-tempo group will be played at full speed; the songs in the high-tempo group will be repeated to ensure an equal amount of time moving for both groups. All sessions will be video recorded and examined for fidelity. This group will complete pre-test, post-test, and a 4-week follow-up.

BEHAVIORAL

Zumba Low Tempo

The Zumba low tempo group will complete a 10-week (2x a week; 60 minutes per session) virtual adapted aerobic dance intervention (adapted Zumba®). Each session will consist of: a warm-up (3-5 minutes), 5-6 songs with instruction (40 minutes), and a cool down (5 minutes) for a total of about 60 minutes including rest/water breaks and time to transition. The only difference between the two adapted Zumba® programs will be the speed at which the songs will be played and the number of times through each song. The songs for the low-tempo group will be set to three-fourths speed. All sessions will be video recorded and examined for fidelity. This group will complete pre-test, post-test, and a 4-week follow-up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Auburn University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Emily Munn · Auburn University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-01-26

Primary Completion

2022-03-30

Completion

2022-03-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations