Culturally Tailored Aerobic Exercise Intervention for Low-income Latinas

Abstract Purpose 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). Design A randomized trial contrasted safety education to an aerobic dance intervention. Setting Interventions were held in a “store-front” exercise site near a community clinic. Subjects Sedentary low-income Latinas (N  =  151; 18–55 years; 70% overweight/obese) were recruited. Retention was 91% for follow-up measures. Intervention Three sessions per week of supervised aerobic dance were provided for 6 months. Controls attended 18 safety education sessions over 6 months. Measures 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 wi...