title: A survey of musculoskeletal injuries associated with Zumba.
abstract: Zumba is a highly popular Latin-inspired dance fitness program with ∼14 million participants in 150 countries. However, there is little published data on the rates or types of injuries among participants. We surveyed a convenience sample of 49 adults (100% participation) in 5 Zumba classes in Hawai'i. Participants described any prior Zumba-related injuries. We used t-tests and logistic regression to determine if participant demographics or intensity of Zumba classes were associated with injuries. Participants were mostly female (82%), averaged 43.9 years of age (range 19 to 69 years), and took an average of 3 classes/week (1-2 hours/class) for an average of 11 months. Fourteen participants (29%) reported 21 prior Zumba-related injuries. Half of the 14 injured sought care from medical providers for their injuries. Of the 21 injuries, the most frequently injured sites were knees (42%), ankles (14%), and shoulders (14%). Participants with Zumba-related injuries did not differ significantly in age, months of Zumba, or hours/class compared to those who did not experience injuries. However, participants who reported injuries took significantly more classes/week (3.8 versus 2.7 classes, P = .006) than non-injured participants. In logistic regression, taking more classes/week remained significantly associated with injuries (odds ratio 3.6 [95% confidence interval 1.5 - 8.9, P = .006]) after controlling for age, gender, months of Zumba, and hours/class. Given Zumba's health benefits, our finding that 1 in 4 Zumba participants have experienced injuries indicates the need to improve Zumba routines, instructor training, and health provider counseling to reduce injury risk.
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency Program, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI (all authors).
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inouye
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency Program, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI (all authors).
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency Program, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI (all authors).
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maskarinec
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency Program, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI (all authors).
authors.forename: Chien-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003615:Dancing / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D010809:Physical Fitness