Muscle Activity And User-perceived Exertion During Immersive Virtual Reality Exergaming Incorporating Adaptive Cable Resistance

Abstract

217cases, aerobic--training is poorly tolerated. Thankfully, other modes of exercise training, such as resistance training (RT) have previously been successfully integrated into general rehabilitation programs. However, it is not known whether such exercise modalities are sufficient to enhance cardiopulmonary system function and whether they could be utilized in rehabilitation programs that integrate interventions related to respiration. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of different RT modalities on chest expansion, spirometry, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2max ) in untrained smokers. METHODS: Forty-two untrained male smokers were randomized into either a non-exercising control group (n=15) or a muscle endurance RT group (MERG; n=15) and hypertrophy RT group (HRG; n=15), who trained using their respective one-hour resistance training regimes non-consecutively, thrice weekly. Abdominal and thoracic dimensions and kinematics, spirometry, and VO 2max were assessed pre-and post-test following the eight-week training period. Differences from pre-to post-test were examined using t-tests with alpha levels set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Hypertrophy type RT improved PIF (from 5.76±2.56 L.sec -1 to 7.46±2.71 L.sec -1 ; p=0.009) and maximum inhalation (from 90.93±4.15 cm to 92.76±4.32 cm; p=0.000). In turn, the muscle endurance type RT only improved VO 2max (from 46.37±7.66 mL.kg -1 .min -1 to 63.62±7.86 mL.kg -1 .min -1 ; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that RT can be used to improve abdominal and thoracic dimensions and kinematics, spirometry, and VO 2max in untrained smokers. However, to fully gain the benefits from RT, both hypertrophy and muscle endurance RT should be incorporated into their program design.

Handheld Weights as an Effective and Comfortable Way To Increase Exercise Intensity of Physical Activity in Virtual Reality: Empirical Study

“…Consequently, VR technology is increasingly being used in various areas of life and science, including health care, rehabilitation, psychology, education, engineering, manufacturing, and entertainment [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The development of information technology and the ever-increasing popularity of video games are often associated with the reduction of a person's physical activity (PA) in favor of prolonged sitting in front of a computer, resulting in poor well-being and progressive deterioration in the physical and mental health status [11][12][13][14] Therefore, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in active virtual reality games (AVRGs), which provide entertainment and encourage PA [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. AVRGs are video games that require users to perform physical exercise [26].…”

“…However, published research findings are inconclusive. Some researchers point to moderate to high levels of exercise intensity in those playing AVRGs, especially when using exercise machines (eg, cycle ergometers, treadmill) [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 22 , 23 ]. Locomotion has been shown to promote exercise intensity and enhance the immersion experience.…”

Application of immersive virtual reality in the training of wheelchair boxers: evaluation of exercise intensity and users experience additional load– a pilot exploratory study

“…The health-promoting nature of exercise during immersive virtual reality video gaming (AVRGs) has also been documented by other authors [ 2 – 5 , 10 ]. However, the studies refer to able-bodied users without fitness deficits.…”

Influence of the exercise intensity during EA Sport Active 2 on physiology and psychology variables

“…Furthermore, the player's performance and feelings of autonomy also contributed to enjoyment of the game. taken together, practitioners could opt to use high intensity in the game to induce higher HR response without significant changes in the affect/pleasure, which could induce improvements in physical fitness with pleasure, which might increase adherence [17].…”

“…the possible interference of psychological variables (entertainment, pleasure) on the physiological response to exercise is identified in several studies. A recent investigation assessed an immersive virtual reality (iVR) device that integrated cable resistance training and not only found a substantial metabolic demand which meets the ACSM vigorous exercise requirements, but also high ratings of enjoyment that seemed to distract users from perceived exertion [17]. Gomez, Browne, Almalouhi et al [17] found results which suggest similar muscle activation responses compared to traditional resistance exercises, as demonstrated by prior evidence, and reinforce the ability of an iVR exergaming system to make practitioners exercise at a high intensity while distracting them from the high demands of the exertion.…”