Exercise intensity during exergaming in wheelchair-dependent persons with SCI

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Objectives: It is challenging for persons with SCI, especially those who are wheelchair dependent, to find suitable and motivating aerobic exercise modes. Exergaming might be a good option, since it is relatively cheap and can be played at home, alone or with others. However, it is unknown if exergaming is performed at a sufficient exercise intensity. Setting: Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway. Methods: Twenty-two men and two women (n = 24) with chronic SCI (AIS A-C), all wheelchair users, were included during inpatient rehabilitation. All participant performed a maximal graded arm-crank test (pretest), while measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and peak heart rate (HRpeak). The day after they had a practice playing session with three different exergames (X-box Kinect, Fruit Ninja; Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports Boxing; VR Oculus Rift, boxing). The following day, participants played each exergame for 15 min. During these 45 min of exergaming, exercise intensity, based on VO2peak and HRpeak from the pretest, was monitored. Results: Approximately 30 of the 45 min of exergaming was performed at moderate or high intensity. Participants exercised on average 24.5 min (95%CI 18.7–30.5) at moderate intensity (>50–80% VO2peak) and 6.6 min (95%CI 2.2–10.8) at high intensity (>80% VO2peak). Conclusions: The participants were able to exercise at moderate or high intensity during exergaming in a considerable amount of time. Exergaming seems to be suitable for aerobic exercise at an intensity that can provide health benefits in wheelchair-dependent persons with SCI.