A Pilot Study to Examine the Effect of Moderate-intensity Aerobic Dance Intervention in the Middle-aged Jordanian American Women

Purpose: The primary purpose of this pilot study is to increase physical activity in daily living of the middle-aged Jordanian American women. Method: Target population was 15 Jordanian American women, who were a middle-aged. The study protocol composed of 2 weeks of observations, 6 weeks of intervention, and 2 weeks of post-intervention observation. The study variables (functional capacity, lifestyle physical activities, self-efficacy, social support) were measured at three time points: pretest (1st week), posttest1 (8th week), and posttest2 (10th week). Results: The functional capacity was significantly increased after completion of the intervention. The scores of self-efficacy and social support were significantly increased at the 8th week. The life style physical activity score was significantly increased at the 8th week, as the scores of self-efficacy and social support increased. Conclusion: The increased functional capacity, based on the BMI and 6-Minute Walk Test, did not maintain at the10th week. In conclusion, the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improved overall functional capacity and life style physical activities. However, the scores of life style physical activity, self-efficacy, and social support were also somewhat decreased at the 10th week. Therefore, the positive reinforcement interventions are required between at the 8th week and the 10th week.