Exergaming (Xbox Kinect®) versus mirror matched gym based exercise for postural control in healthy adults: a Randomised Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Exergaming (exercise with the use of an interactive computer-generated environment) is increasingly used in physical rehabilitation and may be more effective than traditional balance based exercise for healthy adults [1] to improve postural control. To date, no research has analysed the effects of exergaming on postural control and physiological cost with respect to a control group given mirror-matched exercise. The aim of the research is to investigate the effect of exergaming (Xbox Kinect®) versus mirror-matched exercise (MME) on postural control, physiological cost and perceived exertion. METHODS: A convenience sample of 50 young healthy active adults was recruited with 44 completing both pre and post exercise testing. Participants were single blind randomised into either the exergaming training group (n=23) or the MME group (n=21). Training was performed three times per week over a four week period (12 x 30 minute sessions). Postural control was measured with a Kistler force platform during unipedal quiet standing with eyes open. Outcome measures consisted of: Centre of pressure displacements in the anterior-posterior (CoPAP) and medio-lateral (CoPML) directions and the CoP velocity (CoPV). Physiological measures were mean HR (measured in beats per minute, BPM) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) compared the post-test differences between the groups controlling for baseline performance. Within-subject differences of exercise over time for each measurement were investigated with a mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Greater improvements were observed in the exergaming group for CoPML displacement in unipedal standing between the groups after intervention (p<0.01), and significant within group changes for CoPML range and standard deviation and CoPV (p