Abstract
BackgroundRecently, ski exergames have been gaining popularity due to the growing interest in health improvement. Conventional studies evaluating the effects of ski exergames only considered exercise capacity and overlooked concentration. Ski exergames consist of a motion platform for exercise and virtual reality (VR) content in the game. The VR content enhances the exercise capacity and concentration of the user by providing a challenging goal.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of VR and non-VR exercises on the exercise capacity and concentration of users in a ski exergame.MethodsTo examine the effects of the VR content in ski exergames, we performed 2 experiments, non-VR exercise and VR exercise, where participants exercised on the motion platform. If a user performs an exercise without using any VR content, it is a non-VR exercise. Contrastingly, in the case of VR exercise, a user exercises according to the VR content (a downhill scenario). In addition to the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle and rated perceived exertion (RPE) to assess exercise capacity, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess users’ concentration.ResultsWe evaluated the effects of the VR content by comparing the results obtained from VR and non-VR exercises. The ROM of the ankle with VR exercise was wider than that with non-VR exercise. Specifically, ROM of the ankle was 115.71° (SD 17.71°) and 78.50° (SD 20.43°) in VR exercise and non-VR exercise, respectively. The RPE difference between the 2 exercises was not statistically significant. The result of the sensorimotor rhythm waves (which are concentration-related EEG signals) was more favorable for VR exercise than non-VR exercise. The ratios of sensorimotor rhythm wave in EEG were 3.08% and 2.70% in the VR exercise and non-VR exercise, respectively.ConclusionsAccording to the results of this experiment, higher exercise capability and concentration were achieved with the VR exercise compared with non-VR exercise. The observations confirm that VR content can enhance both exercise capability and concentration of the user. Thus, the ski exergames can be used effectively by those who, in general, do not like exercise but enjoy games.
Highlights
Exergames are interactive video games that stimulate an active, whole-body gaming experience [1]
We investigated the effects of the virtual reality (VR) and non-VR exercises on the exercise capacity and concentration of users in the ski exergame
To provide resistance between snow surface and ski plate, the ski motion platform was fitted with an elastic band that stretches linearly with the tension from the start of contraction to the maximum range of motion (ROM) of the ankle
Summary
Exergames (a portmanteau of “exercise” and “games”) are interactive video games that stimulate an active, whole-body gaming experience [1]. High levels of an aerobic exercise are reported to enhance the concentration as well as exercise capability [5]. Conventional studies have suggested that an exergame, combined with high levels of aerobic exercise and a fast video gaming experience, enhances exercise capability and concentration [1]. We would like to evaluate the effect of ski exergames with high level of aerobic exercise on the general public. Conventional studies evaluating the effects of ski exergames only considered exercise capacity and overlooked concentration. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of VR and non-VR exercises on the exercise capacity and concentration of users in a ski exergame. Methods: To examine the effects of the VR content in ski exergames, we performed 2 experiments, non-VR exercise and VR exercise, where participants exercised on the motion platform. The ski exergames can be used effectively by those who, in general, do not like exercise but enjoy games
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