Difference in Resting Heart Rate (RHR) and Resting Systolic Blood Pressure (RSBP) of the Retired Older Adults in Akwa Ibom State During and After Pre-Aerobic Zumba Dance Exercise Programme

The study examined the difference in resting heart rate (RHR) and resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP) of the retired older adults in Akwa Ibom State during and after pre-Aerobic Zumba Dance exercise programme. The quasi-experimental (Interrupted Time-Series) design was used for the study. The area of the study is Akwa Ibom State. The area of the study is Akwa Ibom State. The population of the participants who volunteered for the study, and identified as older adults, was initially 150 retired older adults (these included12women; aged between 65 years and above); who took part in the study. A population of 150 retired older adult began the programme in Uyo with 68 participant, Eket, 47 participants and Ikot Ekpene, 35 participants. The instruments for the study are already standardized instruments, invented for the purpose they were made for. To ensure reliability of the weighing scale, a standard weight lifting barbell of 1 kg was always placed to set a scale-pointer correctly at 1kg. After the posttest measurement, the data sorted out were treated with the Descriptive Statistics to answer the research questions. . The Paired sample t-test statistical (PTS) was used to test the hypotheses, set at probability alpha significant level of .05. The study showed that there is  significant  difference between the pretest and post test means of resting heart rate (RHR)among the retired older adults in Akwa Ibom State; showing significant improvement in the resting heart rate (RHR) and also there is  significant  difference between the  pretest and post test means of resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP)of the retired older adults in Akwa Ibom State; showing significant improvement in the resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP).The study concluded that aerobic Zumba dance exercise is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving cardiovascular health among retired older adults. It was recommended that structured aerobic dance programmes should be encouraged among older adults to enhance their physiological well-being.