Exercise intensity during exergaming in wheelchair-dependent persons with SCI

Cross-sectional study.

It is challenging for persons with SCI, especially those who are wheelchair dependent, to find suitable and motivating aerobic exercise modes. Exergaming might be a good option, since it is relatively cheap and can be played at home, alone or with others. However, it is unknown if exergaming is performed at a sufficient exercise intensity.

Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway.

Twenty-two men and two women (n = 24) with chronic SCI (AIS A-C), all wheelchair users, were included during inpatient rehabilitation. All participant performed a maximal graded arm-crank test (pretest), while measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) and peak heart rate (HR_peak). The day after they had a practice playing session with three different exergames (X-box Kinect, Fruit Ninja; Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports Boxing; VR Oculus Rift, boxing). The following day, participants played each exergame for 15 min. During these 45 min of exergaming, exercise intensity, based on VO_2peak and HR_peak from the pretest, was monitored.

Approximately 30 of the 45 min of exergaming was performed at moderate or high intensity. Participants exercised on average 24.5 min (95%CI 18.7-30.5) at moderate intensity (>50-80% VO_2peak) and 6.6 min (95%CI 2.2-10.8) at high intensity (>80% VO_2peak).

The participants were able to exercise at moderate or high intensity during exergaming in a considerable amount of time. Exergaming seems to be suitable for aerobic exercise at an intensity that can provide health benefits in wheelchair-dependent persons with SCI.