Wii or Kinect? A Pilot Study of the Exergame Effects on Older Adults’ Physical Fitness and Psychological Perception

Li, Jinhui; Li, Long; Huo, P.; Ma, Chao; Wang, Linlin; Theng, Yin Leng

doi:10.3390/ijerph182412939

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…We found a moderately positive effect on cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults. The results are in line with previous reviews’ findings ( 82 , 94 , 102 ). The studies incorporated in the present meta-analysis primarily employed AVG protocols (e.g., Nintendo Wii, Kinect adventures, and virtual reality games) lasting 7–26 weeks to investigate their impact on cardiorespiratory fitness (e.g., 6-min walk test).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Active video games for improving health-related physical fitness in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Deng,

Soh,

Abdullah

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe global population is experiencing a rapid rise in the quantity and percentage of older people. In an effort to enhance physical activity among older adults, active video games (AVGs) are being suggested as a compelling alternative and are currently under scrutiny to evaluate their efficacy in promoting the health of older people.ObjectiveThis review aims to synthesize current studies and formulate conclusions regarding the impact of AVGs on the health-related physical fitness of older adults.MethodsSeven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL) were searched from inception to January 21, 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials examining the effect of AVGs compared to control conditions on health-related physical fitness outcomes in older adults. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. A random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes (ES; Hedge’s g) between experimental and control groups.ResultsThe analysis included 24 trials with a total of 1428 older adults (all ≥ 60 years old). Compared to controls, AVGs produced significant increases in muscular strength (moderate ES = 0.64–0.68, p < 0.05) and cardiorespiratory fitness (moderate ES = 0.79, p < 0.001). However, no significant effects were found for body composition (trivial ES = 0.12–0.14; p > 0.05) and flexibility (trivial ES = 0.08; p = 0.677). The beneficial effects of AVGs were greater after a duration of ≥ 12 vs. < 12 weeks (cardiorespiratory fitness; ES = 1.04 vs. 0.29, p = 0.028) and following ≥ 60 minutes vs. < 60 minutes of session duration (muscular strength; ES = 1.20–1.24 vs. 0.27–0.42, p < 0.05).ConclusionAVGs appear to be an effective tool for enhancing muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, although their impact on improving body composition and flexibility seems limited. Optimal improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a longer duration of AVGs (≥ 12 weeks). Moreover, a session duration of ≥ 60 minutes may provide greater benefits for the muscular strength of older adults.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=482568, identifier CRD42023482568.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Active video games for improving health-related physical fitness in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Deng,

Soh,

Abdullah

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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“…The exercises accessible in the various games of the NWT may adhere to the fundamental principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning [ 18 ]. Interactive exergaming entails multiple mental and physical activities with real-time user interaction provided by biofeedback technology [ 19 ]. Nintendo's biofeedback technology creates various training environments and task protocols as needed, resulting in more timely intervention completion than traditional physical therapy.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit on Postural Balance Control Training in the Geriatric Population: A Review

Raipure¹,

Kasatwar²

2022

Cureus

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Elderly populations who engage in consistent, moderate-intensity exercise are more physically active and have better health than elders who have a sedentary lifestyle. Ageing causes the quality and number of muscle fibres to decline, leaving them with less endurance and ability to effectively work in synchronization and less strength and stamina to support weight or keep a sound body system. Medical practitioners often use the word "balance" across many therapeutic disciplines. Balance is commonly used in conjunction with other ideas like stability and postural control. The capacity of the physiological systems to keep the centre of mass within the base of support during static and dynamic postures and to govern physical alignment in an upright position is known as "balance." Impaired balance has a wide range of effects that can harm physical functionality. Falls in the elderly can result in hip fractures and significant morbidity and mortality. Balance dysfunction is one of the primary reasons behind decreased mobility and postural control in the elderly. It mainly affects the ability to walk and to maintain balance control in everyday life. Virtual reality (VR) can be defined as an interaction model between humans and computers that allows conventional computer-based training. It is a novel and expanding technology combining various characteristics like interactivity, independence, and rehabilitation training. These technologies replicate a seemingly natural environment. A fun and engaging aspect of VR technology is the Wii Fit games. These are enjoyable versions of the fundamental exercise and are widely used. A physiotherapy intervention programme can be structured using Wii Fit games to perform balance exercises. These games are widely used for balance training in the geriatric population.

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“…However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rethinking of physical activity strategies for the general population (10), particularly in older people (11). Thus, performing physical activity in small spaces while maintaining distance and safety in practice has become indispensable (10,11); in such a context, active exergames are presented as alternatives that meet these requirements and are also entertaining for older people (12,13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, the cost to acquire a game console is affordable and ranges from US$100 to US$299, while annual healthcare costs amount to US$2,000 in the United States of America (15) and €2,337 in England, according to the National Health Service of the Kingdom United (16). The most popular consoles and active exergames used by older people are Nintendo Wii ® with the Wii sports, Wii balance, and Wii Fit games (17-19); Microsoft's Xbox Kinect ® with the Kinect Sports, Adventure, and Your Shape games (18,19); and Sony's PlayStation Move ® with the Sports Champions Move game (13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of active exergames on physical performance in older people: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Hernandez-Martinez,

Ramos-Espinoza,

Muñoz-Vásquez

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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This overview assessed the available body of published peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the effects of active exergames compared with active/passive control on physical performance outcomes in older people. The methodological quality and certainty of evidence were assessed using PRISMA, AMSTAR 2, and GRADE. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42023391694). The main outcomes indicate that 4,477 records, five systematic reviews, and 10 meta-analyses were included. The AMSTAR-2 reported six meta-analyses with high methodological quality, four moderate quality, two systematic reviews with low quality, and three very-low quality. Meta-analysis was performed on balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) tests, on cardiorespiratory fitness using the 6-min walk test, and on upper and lower limbs muscle strength using the handgrip strength, knee extension, and 30-s chair stand tests. Significant differences in favor of the active exergames groups concerning active/passive groups were reported in BBS (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.12–1.58; I2 = 96%; p = 0.02), TUG (SMD = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.71–2.16; I2 = 97%; p < 0.0001), and 30-s chair stand test (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.33–1.25; I2 = 88%; p = 0.0008). However, no significant differences were reported in favor of the active exergames groups in 6-min walk (SMD = 0.93; 95% CI = −0.64 to 2.50; I2 = 95%; p = 0.24), handgrip strength (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI = −0.04 to 1.38; I2 = 84%; p = 0.06), and knee extension tests (SMD = 0.20; 95% CI = −0.05 to 0.44; I2 = 95%; p = 0.12) compared to active/passive control. However, it was impossible to perform a meta-analysis for the variables of walking speed as a fall risk due to the diversity of instruments and the small number of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. In conclusion, interventions utilizing active exergames have shown significant improvements in the static and dynamic balance and lower limb muscle strength of apparently healthy older people, compared to control groups of active/inactive participants, as measured by BBS, TUG, and 30-s chair stand tests. However, no significant differences were found in the 6-min walk, HGS, and knee extension tests.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, CRD42023391694.

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Wii or Kinect? A Pilot Study of the Exergame Effects on Older Adults’ Physical Fitness and Psychological Perception

Cited by 17 publications

References 33 publications

Active video games for improving health-related physical fitness in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Active video games for improving health-related physical fitness in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit on Postural Balance Control Training in the Geriatric Population: A Review

Effects of active exergames on physical performance in older people: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

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