The Intensity of Physical Activity in Asthmatic Children During Active Video Game Playing

Abstract

Background: The use of virtual reality and video games has gained traction in physical rehabilitation medicine. In respiratory rehabilitation, their use is more recent, and for the application of this tool in this area it is necessary to examine the intensity of the effort reached in the activity. To evaluate the intensity of effort achieved in the ‘Reflex Ridge’ Xbox 360™ (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA) game compared to the current gold standard treatment, the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), in asthmatic children. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating children participating in a CPET and the Reflex Ridge active video game (AVG), played using an Xbox 360 Kinect,TM over two different days. Results: Thirty children who had a mean age of 7.86±1.9 years were evaluated. The maximum heart rate using the AVG reached 87% of the maximum predicted value and 93% of that obtained in the CPET. The intensity of the exercise using AVG reached 8.46±1.86 MET; this corresponded to 81% of the intensity reached in the CPET. There were no episodes of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Conclusion: Using AVG can promote high intensity physical exercise. AVG playing may be considered a safe mechanism for the physical treatment of asthmatic children.