Culturally tailored aerobic exercise intervention for low-income Latinas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of community-based, culturally tailored exercise intervention on the moderate and vigorous physical activity and physiologic outcomes of low-income Latino women (Latinas).


METHODS
A randomized trial contrasted safety education to an aerobic dance intervention.


METHODS
Interventions were held in a "store-front" exercise site near a community clinic.


METHODS
Sedentary low-income Latinas (N = 151; 18-55 years; 70% overweight/obese) were recruited. Retention was 91% for follow-up measures.


METHODS
Three sessions per week of supervised aerobic dance were provided for 6 months. Controls attended 18 safety education sessions over 6 months.


METHODS
Physical activity and aerobic fitness (VO2max) were primary outcomes.


RESULTS
Participants in the exercise group reported more vigorous exercise (p < .001) and walking (p = .005) at post-test than controls. Aerobic dance and unsupervised activity resulted in a five-fold greater increase in relative VO2max compared with controls (p < .001). Although exercise and fitness decreased at follow-up, vigorous exercise (p = .001) and relative VO2max (p < .001) remained higher in the exercise group, suggesting maintenance at 1 year. CONDUSION:. Culturally tailored aerobic dance can increase vigorous physical activity, possibly generalizing to walking, and the combination can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in low-income, overweight, sedentary Latinas.
Hovell
Melbourne F
MF
San Diego State University, California, USA. mhovell@projects.sdsu.edu
Mulvihill
Mary M
MM
Buono
Michael J
MJ
Liles
Sandy
S
Schade
Debra H
DH
Washington
Tabitha A
TA
Manzano
Ruth
R
Sallis
James F
JF
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D003153:Community Health Services; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003615:Dancing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*