Heart Rate and Perceived Exertion During Self-Selected Intensities for Exergaming Compared to Traditional Exercise in College-Age Participants

Kraft, JA, Russell, WD, Bowman, TA, Selsor III, CW, and Foster, GD. Heart rate and perceived exertion during self-selected intensities for exergaming compared to traditional exercise in college-age participants. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1736-1742, 2011—Exergames may be useful for promoting physical activity in younger populations. Heart rate (HRs) responses and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at self-selected intensities were compared in college-age participants during 2 modes of exergame activity vs. traditional exercise. Thirty-seven participants (men: 20, women: 17) completed 3 30-minute self-selected intensity trials: (a) video game interactive bicycle ergometer (GB) (CatEye GB300), (b) interactive video dance game (Dance Dance Revolution [DDR]), and (c) traditional cycle ergometer (CE) while watching television. Mean HR, peak HR (PkHR), and minutes above target HR (THR) were significantly higher for GB (144 ± 22 b·min−1 [57% HR reserve (HRR)], 161 ± 23 b·min−1, and 22.5 ± 11.1 minutes) than for DDR (119 ± 16 b·min−1 [37% HRR], 138 ± 20 b·min−1, and 11.2 ± 11.9 minutes) or for CE (126 ± 20 b·min−1 [42% HRR], 144 ± 24 b·min−1, and 14.2 ± 12.6 minutes). The RPE was significantly higher for GB (4.2 ± 1.5) and CE (3.8 ± 1.2) than for DDR (2.7 ± 1.3). Recovery HR (RecHR) (15 minutes postexercise) was significantly higher for GB (91 ± 14 b·min−1) than for DDR (80 ± 11 b·min−1) and neared significance vs. CE (84 ± 14 b·min−1, p = 0.059). No difference in PkHR, RecHR, or minutes above THR was observed between DDR and CE. Session RPE was significantly higher for GB (4.6 ± 1.7) and CE (4.1 ± 1.6) than for DDR (2.8 ± 1.5). All modes elicited extended proportions of time above THR; GB: 75%, DDR: 37%, and CE: 47%. Results support that exergames are capable of eliciting physiological responses necessary for fitness improvements. Practitioners might consider exergames as periodic activity options for clients needing motivation to be regularly active.

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