Cardiorespiratory Exertion While Exergaming in Healthy Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE This study evaluates the suitability of the Exerheart exergame as an alternative tool to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for healthy adults. METHODS A total of 49 healthy adults were enrolled in the study. For the first visit (visit 1), all participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) on a treadmill to assess maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max). For the second visit (visit 2), the oxygen consumption (VO2 peak and VO2 mean) was measured during the performance of Exerheart, three times for 10 minutes each to determine its exercise intensity. RESULTS VO2 max during the CPX was 30±8.1 mL/kg/min, while VO2 peak during Exerheart was 17.4±3.4 mL/kg/min and VO2 mean was 16.3±3.3. The Exerheart intensity generated a VO2 peak of 60.4±16.3% and VO2 mean of 56.0±15.7 of the VO2 max as achieved during the CPX. No significant differences were observed by age group for VO2 peak/VO2 max or VO2 mean/VO2 max. CONCLUSIONS Exerheart exergame corresponds to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise range according to ACSM guidelines. Therefore, Exerheart exergame may be used as an effective alternative to aerobic exercise intervention for healthy adults.

Keywords

• exergaming
• exercise
• oxygen consumption
• physical exertion