Educational and Social Exergaming: A Perspective on Physical, Social, and Educational Benefits and Pitfalls of Exergaming at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Afterwards

Rüth, Marco; Kaspar, Kai

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644036

Cited by 24 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 92 publications

(118 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, exergames, a new and enjoyable training option, have been used to decrease social isolation, improve postural control and encourage PA levels among older people [ 73 ]. In recent years, the development of the video game market has strengthened the offer of exergames designed to be used as easier, enjoyable and valuable training tools compared to the traditional exercise programs [ 98 , 99 , 100 ]. Combined elements of health, games and fitness, and the possibility to connect individuals with specialists via on-line connection [ 101 ], could have the potential to improve QoL and physical functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-Based Physical Activity as a Healthy Aging Booster before and during COVID-19 Outbreak

Maio

Bratta

Iannaccone

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The role of physical activity in improving overall aspects of health regardless of age is well documented. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, preventive measures to limit airborne infection have been introduced, with people, especially older adults, advised to stay at home, thus increasing sedentary lifestyle and the risk of chronic diseases. As one of the few possible ways to stay active is home-based training, this review aims to provide evidence on alternative and feasible home-based activity programs as a tool to improve the fitness level in older adults, especially when preventive measures are needed to ensure isolation and limit interpersonal contacts. During quarantine, older adults, especially those with chronic diseases, are recommended to regularly exercise. Combined balance and muscle-strengthening training has proven to be particularly useful in limiting falls and mobility limitations. In addition, the use of virtual reality systems seems to be a potential strategy in remaining physically active, reducing physical inactivity time and significantly increasing the compliance of the older adults with physical activity programs. In conclusion, home-based programs induce improvements in physical functions in general and quality of life in older people with or without co-morbidities, and it can be considered in the future as one of the feasible and economic ways to increase physical well-being. This may be of unique importance in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 enforced limitations in out-of-home activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-Based Physical Activity as a Healthy Aging Booster before and during COVID-19 Outbreak

Maio

Bratta

Iannaccone

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Enhancing media literacy among users can increase both knowledge of and criticism toward media, and furthermore, ensure awareness of the influence of media as well as reduce risky or antisocial behaviors (cf. Jeong et al, 2012 ; Rüth and Kaspar, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alone Together: Computer-Mediated Communication in Leisure Time During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021

Self Cite

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In spring 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic and several lockdowns were followed in Germany. To weaken the spread of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, people were required to reduce their face-to-face contact with others. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) offers opportunities to stay in touch with important people and still meets social needs. During the first lockdown in spring 2020, we collected data from 679 participants to explore the role of CMC for social interaction in the context of leisure activities and how personal characteristics contribute to such media use. Results showed that people complied with the restriction and shifted their communication to several media, especially instant messengers and video calls. Many leisure activities were performed via CMC, especially low-key activities, such as just talking or simply spending time together. Perceived social closeness to others was positively related to the quality and quantity of CMC. The extent of leisure activities that people experienced with others via communication media was higher among younger individuals, males, and individuals with higher scores on positive state affect, extraversion, openness, and fear of missing out. The preference for solitude showed a negative relation. The motivation to continue using media for communication after the pandemic was strongly related to the quality and quantity of actual use. Low extraversion and high openness were related to higher motivation for future use. Implications such as the importance of providing fast internet and good usability of communication media as well as the relevance of increasing media literacy of people are discussed.

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“…When promoting at-home physical activity, exercise video games (also known as exergames) have been shown to be a viable supportive tool to enhance older adults’ well-being during the current pandemic [ 43 - 46 ]. Systematic reviews have shown that exergames have been successfully used to foster improvements in health-related outcomes such as pain management, posture, cognitive functioning, and decreased risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults [ 47 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames to Promote the Well-being of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Mehrabi¹,

Muñoz²,

Basharat³

et al. 2022

JMIR Res Protoc

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Background Despite the proven benefits of exercise in older adults, challenges such as access and motivation can deter their engagement. Interactive virtual reality (VR) games combined with exercise (exergames) are a plausible strategy to encourage physical activity among this population. However, there has been little research on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of deploying at-home VR exergames among community-dwelling older adults. Objective The objectives of this study are to estimate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a co-designed VR exergame in community-dwelling older adults; examine intervention feasibility and assessment protocols for a future large-scale trial; and provide pilot data on outcomes of interest (physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, perception, and gameplay metrics). Methods The study will be a remote, 6-week intervention comprising an experimental and a control group. A sample of at least 12 community-dwelling older adults (with no or mild cognitive impairment) will be recruited for each group. Both groups will follow the same study procedures and assessment methods. However, the experimental group will engage with a co-designed VR exergame (Seas The Day) thrice weekly for approximately 20 minutes using the Oculus Quest 2 (Facebook Reality Labs) VR headset. The control group will read (instead of playing Seas The Day) thrice weekly for approximately 20 minutes over the 6-week period. A mixed methods evaluation will be used. Changes in physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, and perception will be compared before and after acute data as well as before and after the 6 weeks between the experimental (exergaming) and control (reading) groups. Qualitative data from postintervention focus groups or interviews and informal notes and reports from all participants will be analyzed to assess the feasibility of the study protocol. Qualitative data from the experimental group will also be analyzed to assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of at-home VR exergames and explore perceived facilitators of and barriers to uptaking VR systems among community-dwelling older adults. Results The screening and recruitment process for the experimental group started in May 2021, and the data collection process will be completed by September 2021. The timeline of the recruitment process for the control group is September 2021 to December 2021. We anticipate an estimated adherence rate of ≥80%. Challenges associated with VR technology and the complexity of remote assessments are expected. Conclusions This pilot study will provide important information on the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of a custom-made VR exergaming intervention to promote older adults’ well-being. Findings from this study will be useful to inform the methodology, design, study procedures, and assessment protocol for future large-scale trials of VR exergames with older adults as well as deepen the understanding of remote deployment and at-home use of VR for exercise in older adults. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/32955

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Educational and Social Exergaming: A Perspective on Physical, Social, and Educational Benefits and Pitfalls of Exergaming at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Afterwards

Cited by 24 publications

References 92 publications

Home-Based Physical Activity as a Healthy Aging Booster before and during COVID-19 Outbreak

Home-Based Physical Activity as a Healthy Aging Booster before and during COVID-19 Outbreak

Alone Together: Computer-Mediated Communication in Leisure Time During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames to Promote the Well-being of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study

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