Our Heritage, Our Health: Efficacy of Zimbabwe’s selected Culture-Centric Dances on Improving Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure

Nyasha Ebson Botman; Julia Wambui Githang'a; Edwin Kiptolo Boit

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80651

Our Heritage, Our Health: Efficacy of Zimbabwe’s selected Culture-Centric Dances on Improving Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure

Author(s)	Mr. Nyasha Ebson Botman, Dr. Julia Wambui Githang'a, Dr. Edwin Kiptolo Boit
Country	Zimbabwe
Abstract	The opening of the 21st Century has seen culture-centric dances being overtaken by modernity, industrialization and globalization. Culture-centric dances are ac conduit for transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to the next and a rich source of cultural identity that reinforces social bonds. More importantly, dances have invaluable physiological benefits which should not be underestimated. The study sought to unpack the quantitative efficacy of the Zimbabwe’s Chinyambera, Mhande and Ngororombe culture-centric dances in improving systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A quasi experimental design was adopted to explore effects of an 8-week dance programme on the selected cardiovascular markers. An experimental group comprising 138 mixed sex dancers was used. To ensure validity and reliability, pre and post measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were obtained using standardised instruments. Paired samples t-tests in STATA 18 (p<005) were used to analyse data. The 95% confidence level statistical significance was used with a 5% margin of error acceptable. Key findings indicated significant reduction following intervention (p<0.001.) Systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.96-6.52mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.33-6.50mmHg. Ethically, approval and informed consent were obtained. Participant confidentiality was maintained through anonymization, health screening was done and the control group received the intervention post-study. The study could assist rural communities and the broader nation in lowering healthcare costs by promoting affordable interventions for prevention, maintenance and restoration of good health. Intergenerational participation and community based initiatives can further enhance systolic and diastolic blood pressure improvement. Further research should explore dance-based rehabilitation, monitoring and long term effects on health.
Keywords	culture-centric dance, physiological biomarkers, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-06
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80651

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Our Heritage, Our Health: Efficacy of Zimbabwe’s selected Culture-Centric Dances on Improving Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure

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