Start Date
17-6-2025 12:30 PM
End Date
17-6-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
Introduction
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) demonstrate decreased total daily energy expenditure and cardiovascular fitness which is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Integrating games into physical activity can make exercise enjoyable. Limited research investigated game applications in aerobic exercise for people with SCI. The purpose of our study was to analyze energy expenditure during game-based aerobic exercise in people with SCI.
Methodology
Thirteen individuals with SCI (ASIA C-D) participated in a cross-sectional study comparing two modes of aerobic exercise; game-based and conventional wheelchair treadmill training. A portable metabolic analyser and heat rate monitor were used to measure oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and heart rate. A familiarization session was provided and a self-selected pace at a mild-to-moderate intensity was determined based on the Borg rate of perceived exertion, later used to match exercise intensity. Each participant completed ten-minute quiet sitting for resting metabolic rate followed by a five-minute aerobic exercise for each mode on two separate days with minimum 72 hours apart in random order. The intrinsic motivation inventory was collected to compare their activity perception.
Results
A paired t-test showed statistically significant increases in energy expenditure, oxygen consumption, and heart rate during game-based aerobic exercise compared to conventional aerobic exercise (All p-values < 0.05). An intrinsic motivation inventory test showed significant increase in interest and enjoyment during game-based aerobic exercise compared to conventional aerobic exercise.
Conclusions
Our findings provide scientific evidence that game-based aerobic exercise can illicit increased energy expenditure and enhance enjoyment of participation among people with SCI.
Recommended Citation
Arteaga, Jordan J.; Ortega, Remy J.; Garcia, Elvin O.; Aguilar, Jesus D.; Jung, Taeyou PhD; and Palache, Ethan, "Analysis of Energy Expenditure during Game-based Aerobic Exercise among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 33.
https://sword.cit.ie/isapa/2025/day2/33
Analysis of Energy Expenditure during Game-based Aerobic Exercise among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Introduction
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) demonstrate decreased total daily energy expenditure and cardiovascular fitness which is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Integrating games into physical activity can make exercise enjoyable. Limited research investigated game applications in aerobic exercise for people with SCI. The purpose of our study was to analyze energy expenditure during game-based aerobic exercise in people with SCI.
Methodology
Thirteen individuals with SCI (ASIA C-D) participated in a cross-sectional study comparing two modes of aerobic exercise; game-based and conventional wheelchair treadmill training. A portable metabolic analyser and heat rate monitor were used to measure oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and heart rate. A familiarization session was provided and a self-selected pace at a mild-to-moderate intensity was determined based on the Borg rate of perceived exertion, later used to match exercise intensity. Each participant completed ten-minute quiet sitting for resting metabolic rate followed by a five-minute aerobic exercise for each mode on two separate days with minimum 72 hours apart in random order. The intrinsic motivation inventory was collected to compare their activity perception.
Results
A paired t-test showed statistically significant increases in energy expenditure, oxygen consumption, and heart rate during game-based aerobic exercise compared to conventional aerobic exercise (All p-values < 0.05). An intrinsic motivation inventory test showed significant increase in interest and enjoyment during game-based aerobic exercise compared to conventional aerobic exercise.
Conclusions
Our findings provide scientific evidence that game-based aerobic exercise can illicit increased energy expenditure and enhance enjoyment of participation among people with SCI.
