Impact of Zumba Dance on Selected Psychological Variables among Women NCC Cadets

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how Zumba dance training impacts specific psychological factors within a cohort of women National Cadet Corps (NCC) members. The research focused primarily on evaluating levels of stress and anxiety. Forty participants, aged between 18 and 22 years, took part in this project. These individuals were split up into two distinct cohorts of twenty, designated as the Experimental Group and the Control Group. The Experimental Group took part in a rigorous twelve-week Zumba dance programme. These sessions were carried out five days a week, with each session lasting for sixty minutes. Conversely, the Control Group held off on any specialized training during the research period. These participants simply carried on with their typical, routine activities. To determine the psychological impact, researchers made use of standardized assessment tools. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was utilized to measure stress, while a standardized anxiety inventory was employed to track anxiety levels. Upon the completion of the training, the collected data were worked out through a t-ratio analysis, with the significance level pinned at 0.05. The findings turned up a distinct contrast between the two groups. Following the completion of the Zumba sessions, the Experimental Group experienced a notable drop in stress. Similarly, anxiety levels fell off significantly within this group. In contrast, the Control Group showed no meaningful change in their psychological markers. This study indicates that Zumba dance training stands out as a highly effective intervention for building up the psychological well-being of women NCC cadets.