Comparative psychological impact of zumba aerobic and yogic practice on employed women

Abstract

This study examined the comparative psychological effects of Zumba aerobic training and yogic practice on employed women. A quasi-experimental design with three groups, Zumba, Yoga, and Control, was used to assess changes in depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 scale. Results revealed significant improvements across all variables, with yoga producing the greatest reductions in psychological distress. Participants in the yoga group showed marked decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress, followed by moderate improvements in the Zumba group, while the control group demonstrated no benefits and, in some cases, worsening symptoms. These findings suggest that yoga is highly effective for improving mental wellbeing among employed women, whereas Zumba offers additional but comparatively smaller psychological benefits. The study highlights the importance of structured wellness programs in mitigating work-related psychological strain.