## 4 Discussion  
This study compared the 12-week effects of two exercise programs of different intensities [Zumba training (moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity) vs. Pilates training (low-intensity physical activity)] on functional performance, mood, and HRQoL in postmenopausal women. The main findings showed that both exercise programs had a positive impact on these parameters, with greater improvements in mood and HRQoL following Zumba training. Indeed, both Zumba fitness (moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity) and Pilates training (low-intensity physical activity) significantly improved functional performance, including lower body muscle strength, mobility, dynamic balance, and walking speed, as well as mood, in postmenopausal women, with better scores following Zumba fitness. Moreover, both intervention programs improved HRQoL in terms of the total SF36 scores and the physical functioning domain. However, only moderate-to-high-intensity training, i.e., \"Zumba fitness\", was effective in enhancing HRQoL in terms of social functioning, mental health, and emotional limitations in postmenopausal women.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c c} \hline \hline  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**ZG**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**PG**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**CG**} \\ \cline{2-5}  & **Preintervention** & **Postintervention** & **Preintervention** & **Postintervention** & **Preintervention** & **Postintervention** \\ \hline SF36 (scores) & & & & & \\ Total score (38.50–94.75) & 62.75 \(\pm\) 10.56 & 85.69 \(\pm\) 6.92 ** & 61.56 \(\pm\) 10.91 & 76.21 \(\pm\) 12.00 ** & 67.02 \(\pm\) 9.66 & 66.00 \(\pm\) 8.21 \({}^{\text{\text{\textc}}}\) \\ Physical function (49–95) & 61.81 \(\pm\) 14.60 & 88.43 \(\pm\) 3.96 ** & 62.12 \(\pm\) 13.15 & 83.75 \(\pm\) 12.17 ** & 60.25 \(\pm\) 13.45 & 59.37 \(\pm\) 11.38 \({}^{\text{\textc}}\) \\ Social function (22–100) & 64.43 \(\pm\) 19.96 & 89.68 \(\pm\) 14.74 ** & 64.62 \(\pm\) 21.84 & 74.75 \(\pm\) 19.41 & 64.25 \(\pm\) 11.69 & 64.43 \(\pm\) 12.57 \({}^{\text{\textc}}\) \\ Mental health (20–100) & 62.25 \(\pm\) 16.84 & 86.93 \(\pm\) 7.54 ** & 62.43 \(\pm\) 19.51 & 76.25 \(\pm\) 18.71 & 62.93 \(\pm\) 11.77 & 61.62 \(\pm\) 11.36 \({}^{\text{\textc}}\) \\ Pain (22–80) & 74.43 \(\pm\) 18.50 & 85.43 \(\pm\) 11.26 & 70.56 \(\pm\) 23.01 & 78.93 \(\pm\) 22.70 & 67.68 \(\pm\) 17.68 & 67.93 \(\pm\) 17.44 \\ Health perception (25–95) & 42.18 \(\pm\) 15.05 & 79.68 \(\pm\) 31.90 & 42.18 \(\pm\) 17.60 & 55.93 \(\pm\) 26.40 & 70.42 \(\pm\) 13.29 & 70.62 \(\pm\) 14.81 \\ Vitality (35–90) & 62.81 \(\pm\) 21.44 & 72.81 \(\pm\) 12.64 & 63.12 \(\pm\) 21.82 & 74.37 \(\pm\) 15.04 & 64.25 \(\pm\) 17.80 & 61.31 \(\pm\) 15.28 \\ Role limitations due to & & & & & \\ physical problems (25–100) & 62.5 \(\pm\) 35.35 & 90.62 \(\pm\) 12.50 & 60.62 \(\pm\) 26.00 & 84.68 \(\pm\) 17.17 & 71.18 \(\pm\) 13.99 & 70.93 \(\pm\) 12.64 \\ Role limitations due to & & & & & \\ emotional problems (25–100) & 71.56 \(\pm\) 32.65 & 91.93 \(\pm\) 14.43 * & 66.81 \(\pm\) 25.31 & 81.06 \(\pm\) 25.31 & 75.62 \(\pm\) 15.37 & 71.81 \(\pm\) 16.09 \({}^{\text{\textc}}\) \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Significant difference between pre- and postintervention sessions at \(p<0.05\), *
* at \(p<0.001\).
* Significant difference between ZG and PG \(p<0.01\).
* Significant difference in the postintervention session between the CG and the two groups, ZG and PG, at \(p<0.01\).  
\end{table}
Table 3: Mean \(\pm\) SD of the mean scores of the HRQoL (the total score of SF36 and the eight domains (physical function, social function, mental health, pain, health perception, vitality, role limitations due to physical problems, and role limitations due to emotional problems) during the preintervention session compared to postintervention session for the Zumba group (ZG), Pilates group (PG), and control group (CG).  
significantly increases feelings of happiness and joy [70]. Moreover, Zumba training is fun and involves emotions and social interactions [71] under the effect of the rhythms of motivating universal music [72].