[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using exergames as a rehabilitation tool by determining the attitudes, awareness, opinions and experiences of physiotherapists, and older people towards exergames. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted and two short self-developed questionnaires (for physiotherapists and older people) were distributed in three hospitals in Cork (Ireland) to assess the attitudes towards and familiarity with exergames among physiotherapists and older people. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel version 2013. [Results] The results show that a lot of older people have seen exergames devices but have not attempted to play them. This may indicate a lack of interest in or information about these devices and how to use them. With regard to the second group, physiotherapists underestimate older people’s knowledge about exergames. [Conclusion] Older people were not very familiar with exergames but they were willing to try them. In addition, despite physiotherapists being familiar with exergames, they see them as an additional tool that will not replace or change any traditional exercise methods.

[Purpose] To investigate physicians’ attitudes, opinions and experiences towards physiotherapy services as well as to identify the potential factors that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services (based on physicians’ beliefs) in Saudi Arabia (SA). [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted. [Results] A total of 108 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The respondents’ attitude towards physiotherapy was slightly low (53.5%), while their opinions and experiences of physiotherapy indicated some important issues. For example, 50% of them believed that physiotherapists did not create a good awareness about physiotherapy services and 55.5% admitted that they did not have enough information about physiotherapy services. The most potential factor reported by physicians that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services was the lack of physiotherapist’s skills and knowledge to assess and treat patients (55.3%), followed by the limited knowledge of physicians regarding the types of physiotherapy services (44.5%) and the lack of cooperation between physicians and physiotherapists (40.7%). [Conclusion] There were some factors that limited the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services in SA. Physiotherapy academics and clinicians should attempt to change physicians’ negative attitudes, promoting awareness to provide them with a better understanding of physiotherapy services.

[Purpose] This study sets out to investigate whether a short-term high-intensity arm ergometer exercise plan can be of benefit to adults whose poor ventilatory function places them at risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Subjects and Methods] A pre-experimental design with a convenience sample was employed. The study enrolled 30 adult smokers, aged between 18–25 years old, all of whom were at a high risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The participants did a daily 20-minute high-intensity arm ergometer exercise, at 75% target heart rate, at the same time over a period of three days. The forced vital capacity test manoeuvre was carried out before the sessions, and once all three had been done. [Results] The study demonstrated a sizeable increase in the mean values of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second. The mean values of expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity as well as peak expiratory flow rate were not significant statistically. [Conclusion] Although further studies, using larger sampling groups, need to be carried out, this research demonstrates that adults at high risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve lung function by following short-term high-intensity arm ergometer exercise.

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