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Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0000-0426-4693

Abstract

This study, conducted in the field of Physical Education, examines the effect of Zumba on Psychological Well-being among women of a central university in India while also assessing their enjoyment levels during physical activity. Zumba is a group exercise program that blends aerobic workouts with structured dance movements performed to lively, upbeat music. The study also addresses the lack of research on Zumba’s psychological benefits in the Indian context. A quantitative study using an experimental study design was implemented with a sample size of 33 participants who underwent a four-week Zumba training program. A pretest-posttest model was used, and mental health was measured using DASS-21, and their physical activity enjoyment level was assessed using the PACES. A paired t-test was conducted to examine differences between pretest scores and posttest scores. The results indicated a statistically significant reduction in depression (t = 6.45, p < .01), anxiety (t = 4.50, p < .01), and stress (t = 5.88, p < .01) following the Zumba intervention. Moreover, physical activity enjoyment was inversely related to all mental health–related variables, indicating that higher enjoyment was associated with lower levels of psychological distress. This study provides empirical support for Zumba as an enjoyable and effective intervention for reducing psychological distress among female students. It highlights the potential of dance-based group fitness to be integrated into mental health and wellness programs, especially in university settings where mental health concerns are on the rise. The study also fills a geographical research gap by contributing to the limited Indian literature on this topic.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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