Arm Exercises for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: Exergaming versus Arm Cranking

Abstract

Background: Upper body exercise for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is essential for improving health and fitness but is often constrained to conventional arm crank ergometer (ACE). Exergaming, a form of active video gaming, can provide an alternative upper body exercise that is dose-potent (moderate-vigorous intensity). Objective: This cross-sectional study sought to assess Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) for three types of exercise, Move Boxing (MB), Move Kayaking (MK) and ACE, when conducted within similar heart rate (HR) training zones. Methods: Biomechanical descriptions, RPE and PACES scores were taken for each session. Analyses of variance with Hedge’s g were used for significant differences and effect sizes in HR, RPE and PACES scores between the three types of exercises and injury category. Results: The average HR was not different (p=0.489) between exercises (ACE: 110±15, MB: 114±19; MK: 115±17). Tetraplegia (ACE: 95±6, MB: 100±8, MK: 97±12) had lower (p=0.005) average HR than paraplegia (ACE: 117±12, MB: 121±18, MK: 123±13) but when normalised to peak HR was not different (p=0.098). The RPE and PACES were significantly different (p=0.022) between the three types of exercises. ACE produced a lower RPE than both exergames (p=0.002) while Move Boxing was more enjoyable than both ACE (p=0.001) and Move Kayaking (p=0.003). Conclusion: All three exercises achieved vigorous intensity (70–80% of peak HR) for individuals with tetraplegia and paraplegia. Move Boxing was found to be difficult but more enjoyable than conventional ACE when done within similar HR training intensities.