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Home-Based Virtual Reality Exercise and Resistance Training for Enhanced Cardiorespiratory Fitness in
Chanakan Chitjamnogchai1, Kornanong Yuenyongchaiwat1,2, Natsinee Sermsinsaithong1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, 99 Moo 18, Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang, Rangsit 12120, Thailand.
Abstract:
Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by low muscle mass and strength, as well as impaired physical performance. Older adults with sarcopenia experience decreased cardiorespiratory fitness. Physical exercise is recommended for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Virtual reality (VR) exercise was introduced to improve physical activity. However, the effect of VR on cardiorespiratory function in older adults with sarcopenia has not been fully explored. This study aimed to explore the effects of home-based VR aerobic exercise combined with resistive exercise on cardiorespiratory performance in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia. Subjects and Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 53 older adults with sarcopenia were divided into a home-based VR (n = 26) and a control group (CG; n = 27). The VR program combined aerobic and resistance exercises, performed three times per week for 12 weeks, while the CG received knowledge regarding the benefit of exercise and continued with their regular daily activities. All participants were required to undergo respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity tests before and after the 12-week intervention. Two-way mixed repeated ANOVA was conducted to compare within and between groups in cardiorespiratory performance. Results: The home-based VR exercise group showed significant improvement in pre-post (i.e., maximal inspiratory pressure (12.96 ± 1.49 cmH2O), maximal expiratory pressure (13.73 ± 1.72 cmH2O), functional capacity (28.32 ± 3.48 m), and between-group (maximal expiratory pressure (F (1,51) = 10.446, p = 0.002, np2 = 0.170). In contrast, the CG displayed a reduction in maximal expiratory pressure (-3.93 ± 1.69 cmH2O, p = 0.024) and functional capacity (-10.39 ± 3.42 m, p = 0.004) after the 12-week program. Conclusions: The home-based VR program provides older adults with sarcopenia an alternative exercise modality that can improve their cardiovascular performance.
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