Energy expenditure during competitive Latin American dancing simulation.
The aims of this study were to estimate the energy expenditure (EE) and the intensity of physical activity (PA) during a competitive simulation of Latin American dancing and to evaluate the differences in PA and EE values between the sexes, between different dance types, and between the various phases of the competition.


METHODS
Ten Italian dancers (five couples, 5 males and 5 females) competing in Latin American dancing at the international level were examined in this study. The EE (kcal) was measured during the semifinal and final phases of the competition using the SenseWear Pro Armband (SWA). Paired-sample t-tests were used to determine differences in the metabolic equivalent (MET) and EE values between the semifinal and final phases and between each dance. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in the MET and EE values between the sexes.


RESULTS
The intensity of PA during the dance sequence ranged from moderate (3 to 6 METs) to vigorous (6 to 9 METs). The male dancers had higher EE values than the female dancers during all phases of the simulation. Similar MET values were observed in both sexes. The PA intensity during the finals phase was vigorous for 56% of the time of dance. Of all the dance styles, the rumba had the lowest MET and EE values.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that competitive Latin American dancing is a heavy exercise and suggest that monitoring variables during normal training can improve training protocols and the dancers' fitness levels.
Dept. of Experimental Biology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy. myosotis.massidda@unica.it
Myosotis
M
Massidda
Lucia
L
Cugusi
Maurizio
M
Ibba
Iosto
I
Tradori
Carla Maria
CM
Calò
D000293:Adolescent; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D055815:Young Adult