A comparison between two forms of aerobic dance and treadmill running

Aerobic dance has been reported to result in a disproportionately higher heart rate than running at a similar percent of VO2max. It has been suggested that the extensive use of the arms overhead during aerobic dance results in an increase in sympathetic outflow thereby disproportionately increasing the heart rate. To compare the hemodynamic and sympathetic nervous system activity responses during aerobic dance and treadmill running, nine healthy females exercised at approximately 50% of their VO2max during each of the following three exercise trials: aerobic dance where the arms were used extensively overhead (ABOVE), aerobic dance where the arms were kept below the shoulders (BELOW), and treadmill running (TR). Mean heart rate values during the ABOVE, BELOW, and TR trials were 136 beats.min-1 for all three trials. Mean VO2 values during the ABOVE, BELOW, and TR trials were 1.48, 1.51, and 1.47 l.min-1, respectively, and were not significantly different. Mean cardiac output for the ABOVE, BELOW, and TR trials were 13.5, 14.0, and 13.0 1. min-1, respectively, and were not significantly different. Postexercise blood lactate and norepinephrine values were not significantly different among the three trials. These results suggest a similar relationship between heart rate and VO2 during low intensity aerobic dance and running and do not support the contention that the use of the arms overhead during aerobic dance exercise elicits a disproportionately greater increase in heart rate as compared with running. Additionally these results demonstrate similar cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous system responses between aerobic dance exercise and running.