Attitudes of Postmenopausal Women toward Interactive Video Dance for Exercise

Abstract

Aims: Although physical activity (PA) is universally recommended, most adults are not regular exercisers. Interactive video dance is a novel form of PA in widespread use among young adults, but interest among adults is not known. Postmenopausal women are an appropriate target for interventions to promote PA because they have an increased risk of health problems related to sedentary behavior. We explored perceived advantages and disadvantages of video dance as a personal exercise option in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty sedentary postmenopausal women (mean age AE SD 57 AE 5 years), were oriented in eight small groups to interactive video dance, which uses a force-sensing pad with directional panels: the player steps on the panels in response to arrows scrolling on a screen, synchronized to music. Perceived advantages and disadvantages were elicited through a nominal group technique (NGT) process.

Activity-promoting gaming systems in exercise and rehabilitation

“…The attitudes of 40 postmenopausal women (1 year since last menstrual period, 45-75 years old, and not currently engaged in regular exercise) toward DDR to encourage exercise were generally positive [25]. The most frequently cited advantages were the fun nature of the exercise and its perceived potential to improve coordination, whereas a concern cited was the potentially long and frustrating learning process [25].…”

“…The most frequently cited advantages were the fun nature of the exercise and its perceived potential to improve coordination, whereas a concern cited was the potentially long and frustrating learning process [25]. This concern may be applicable to all commercial gaming systems that are not specifically designed for clinical populations.…”

Perceptions of a Videogame-Based Dance Exercise Program Among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

“…Our findings are similar to those in a study of postmenopausal women, which showed that DDR can improve both motor skills and cognition. 13 Virtual reality for gait training has also been reported in the PD population. 14 However, although virtual reality would need to be used in a controlled physical therapy environment, video-dance exercise programs such as DDR may be more accessible to the general PD population and could be used at home.…”

Physical activity with digital companions

“…While research has been conducted on the responses of youth to exergames, the conditions under which adults over forty use these games have been studied less often [6,7].…”