The Effect of Real-Time Video-Based Engagement and Feedback during Pedaling on Cadence Control and Exercise Motivation: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Mukesh Soni,David C Ackland,Tissa Wijeratne

doi:10.3390/bioengineering8070095

Abstract

The use of video and music as an intrinsic, dissociative attentional stimulus during exercise is thought to distract from the physical discomfort of exercise, and contribute to improved exercise adherence; however, the effects of video-based feedback and engagement during pedaling on exercise performance and motivation are poorly understood. The aims of the present study were twofold. Firstly, to develop a novel video-based engagement regime for pedaling that links pedaling cadence with the play rate of a video, and secondly, to employ an instrumented pedaling device to assess the influence of the video engagement paradigm on cadence performance and exercise motivation. Eighteen healthy subjects participated in 15-min-duration pedaling sessions while targeting a specific low cadence (60 rotations per minute) and high cadence (100 rotations per minute), including pedaling with the provision of (i) target pedaling cadence information only, (ii) visual feedback on cadence control, including pedaling duration, pedaling cadence, and cadence deviation from target, and (iii) real-time engagement, which involved pedaling at the target speed to maintain the playback rate of a pre-recorded video. Cadence deviation from the target was evaluated, and self-reported exercise motivation examined with a post-exercise survey. Pedaling-cadence deviations significantly reduced with cadence feedback at both low and high cadence (p < 0.05). Participants reported enjoying feedback and video-based engagement during pedaling, with 83% of participants feeling that engagement motivated them to perform pedaling-based exercise. In conclusion, real-time cadence control feedback and video-based engagement during pedaling for healthy individuals may improve performance in targeted pedaling tasks. Through dissociation from the physical cues associated with exercise and fatigue, feedback and engagement may ultimately increase enjoyment and exercise compliance and adherence of pedaling-based exercise. The findings may be useful in prescription and maintenance of targeted pedaling exercises for stroke rehabilitation and exercise therapy.

Highlights

IntroductionPedaling is an activity used in lower-limb rehabilitation and training to improve aerobic capacity and cardiopulmonary function
Reduction in the absolute pedaling-cadence deviation and its coefficient of variation (CV) with cadence control feedback or video engagement intervention relative to baseline was dependent on pedaling cadence
A significant reduction in absolute-cadence deviation was observed with video engagement relative to baseline, during low-cadence as well as during high-cadence pedaling

Summary

Introduction

Pedaling is an activity used in lower-limb rehabilitation and training to improve aerobic capacity and cardiopulmonary function. It provides similar periodic muscle activation patterns to those during walking [1,2,3], and since pedaling can be performed on a stationary exercise bicycle, represents a safe alternative to walking in subjects with postural instability or fall risk [1,4,5,6,7]. Bioengineering 2021, 8, 95 in the use of pedaling as tool in exercise therapy [10] This is especially problematic in cases of stroke, where regular, targeted exercise therapy is integral to rehabilitation

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