Key result
An exergaming session in the ExerCube significantly decreased pulse wave velocity at 45 minutes post-exercise compared to moderate-intensity endurance exercise (interaction P<0.001).
Why the study?
Moderate-intensity endurance exercise positively affects vascular function, but whether an exercise session in an exergame induces similar vascular reactions was unknown.
Does a 25-minute exergaming session improve acute vascular function compared to a 35-minute moderate-intensity endurance exercise session in healthy young adults?
RCT (n=28)
randomized order
Does a 25-minute exergaming session improve acute vascular function compared to a 35-minute moderate-intensity endurance exercise session in healthy young adults?
p-value: p=<0.001
A 25-minute exergaming session induced more favorable acute changes in arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) than standard moderate-intensity treadmill exercise in healthy young adults.
Exergaming may offer superior acute vascular effects versus treadmill exercise in healthy young adults; extends comparative evidence on exercise modalities for arterial stiffness.
Objective: Acute and regular moderate-intensity endurance exercise (MIEE) is known to positively affect vascular function. The present study assessed if an exercise session in an innovative exergame called the ExerCube can induce similar vascular reactions as an MIEE session. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight healthy recreationally active participants (13 females and 15 males; aged 24.8 ± 3.9 years; with body mass index 23.2 ± 2.3 kg/m2) completed an exergaming session (EGS) in the ExerCube (25 minutes) and an MIEE session on a treadmill (35 minutes, 65%–70% of maximal heart rate [HR]) in a randomized order. Both before and throughout the 45 minutes after the training sessions, pulse wave velocity (PWV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), stroke volume (SV), and HR were recorded. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (Medical Faculty of the Martin-Luther-Universität 2019-177). Results: There were different hemodynamic responses to both types of exercises. PWV was significantly decreased 45 minutes after the EGS (P < 0.001). No significant changes were detected after MIEE (P = 0.109). TPR was significantly lower after both exercise sessions (P < 0.01). Only the EGS resulted in a significant decrease in SV 15 minutes after exercise (P < 0.001). The HR was significantly (P < 0.05) higher after both exercise sessions. After the EGS, the increase in HR was still significantly higher (P = 0.011) 45 minutes after the session. The interaction effects revealed significant differences in PWV (15 minutes, P = 0.035; 30 minutes, P = 0.004; and 45 minutes, P < 0.001), favoring the EGS. Conclusion: The EGS seems to induce a relevant exercise stimulus that can modulate vascular function. Therefore, this exergame may present an effective tool for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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Kircher et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in healthy recreationally active (n=28). Exergaming session (EGS) in the ExerCube vs. Moderate-intensity endurance exercise (MIEE) on a treadmill (35 minutes, 65%-70% of maximal heart rate) was evaluated on Pulse wave velocity (PWV) at 45 minutes post-exercise (p=<0.001). An exergaming session in the ExerCube significantly decreased pulse wave velocity at 45 minutes post-exercise compared to moderate-intensity endurance exercise (interaction P<0.001).
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