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], 1446 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.