Physiological demands of a swimming-based video game: Influence of gender, swimming background, and exergame experience

Is rating of perceived exertion a valid method for monitoring exergaming intensity in type-1 diabetics? A cross-sectional randomized trial

AIMS

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) provides correlations with physiological measurements of exercise intensity, including metabolic equivalent (MET), oxygen consumption (V˙O2), and heart rate (HR), in real (RS) and virtual (VS) sessions. To use RPE in patients with pathology, we aimed to examine the concurrent validity of RPE in type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients while exergaming.

METHODS

Ten T1DM patients performed two 30-min crossover sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (washout 72-196 h). The RS group performed running, and the VS group played the Kinect Adventures! video game. METs were measured by a direct gas analyzer during the sessions, and RPE was measured on the 6 - 20 point Borg scale after the sessions.

RESULTS

RS and VS showed similar RPE (13.2 ± 2.7 vs. 14.2 ± 2.4) and MET (4.6 ± 1.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8) values (p > 0.05). RPE vs. MET correlation-coefficients were large in RS (r = 0.64; R2 = 41; p = 0.04) and were moderate in VS (r = 0.42; R2 = 18; p = 0.22). Additionally, RS secondary values (V˙O2 and HR vs. RPE) showed high coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.62; average HRr = 0.62; maximal HRr = 0.50, p < 0.05). VS secondary values, on the other hand, showed low-moderate coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.42; average HRr = 0.23; maximal HRr = 0.21, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The current validation showed that RPE may not be a valid and strong method for T1DM patients while exergaming. Healthcare professionals should cautiously use the 6 - 20 point RPE scale in pathological patients, specifically in T1DM while exergaming.

Does exergaming drive future physical activity and sport intentions?

We studied how usability and playability of sport exergames affect future intentions of participation in physical activity or actual sport. We employed questionnaires to measure participants' enjoyment, usability, game-experience, and future intentions of physical activity and real sport. We compared the outcomes based on players' gender, previous real-swimming, and exergame experience. Psychological parameters were not different between groups but players without exergame experience enjoyed the game more. Physical activity intentions increased for all participants but not swimming intentions. The limitations of current gaming systems and their effects on players' gaming experience and intentions are discussed.

Mini-trampoline enhances cardiovascular responses during a stationary running exergame in adults

A new class of video game called exergame (EXG) has been used to promote physical activity and cardiovascular fitness, but EXGs are not as efficient as traditional aerobic exercises. However, auxiliary tools, such as the mini trampoline (MT), may enhance the physiological responses obtained by the EXG. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses of a stationary running EXG with and without an MT. Nineteen healthy males performed a treadmill test for the determination of VO2max and HRmax. In sequence, the VO2, HR, and METs were measured during the Free Run, a Nintendo Wii's stationary running EXG, according to two distinct protocols. One protocol used the traditional EXG (EXG-PT), and the other protocol used an MT during the EXG (MT-PT). The normalized data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS 20.0 using a t-test and ANOVA for repeated measures (p < 0.05). The results supported that stationary running EXG performed on an MT showed an increased intensity, in all variables analyzed, when compared with the traditional EXG. Furthermore, the MT-PT was classified as a vigorous-intensity exercise and EXG-PT as a moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. In conclusion, these findings support that the MT is a feasible auxiliary tool to enhance physiologic responses during a stationary running EXG.