Immersive Virtual Reality Exergame Promotes the Practice of Physical Activity in Older People: An Opportunity during COVID-19

Abstract

Life expectancy has increased in recent years. Physical activity has been postulated as a key element in active aging strategies. However, adherence to physical exercise programs has traditionally been low among the elderly, and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra impediments. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) devices could motivate this population to practice exercise. This study aimed to analyse the use of IVR exergames as a tool to facilitate physical exercise in older people. Four healthy older adults (males, 65–77 years) participated in the study. They carried out two exergaming sessions with HTC Vive ProTM. Outcomes were evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), System Usability Scale (SUS), Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ post-game module), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects, with no SSQ symptoms reported. SUS scores were high in both sessions (SUS > 85/100). Post-game GEQ scores were 3.08–3.41/4 (positive experiences) and 0.08–0.16/4 (negative experiences). Opinions showed high levels of satisfaction with the experience. Exergaming programs, based on commercial head-mounted displays, are a feasible alternative to traditional senior exercise, and could be a solution to the current situation that has arisen from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Immersive Virtual Reality as a Novel Physical Therapy Approach for Nonagenarians: Usability and Effects on Balance Outcomes of a Game-Based Exercise Program

“…At the end of the session, in a sitting position, the participants were asked if they had experienced any discomfort of the kind associated with cybersickness. Based on our previous experiences [31,32], the clinical criteria of four physiotherapists, and by following general recommendations for physical activities for older adults [33], a BOX VR was chosen (available in the library of Viveport.com accessed on 10 July 2021), which simulates being in a gym. The participants must perform different boxing The immersive virtual environment was created using the HTC Vive Pro TM commercial entertainment device.…”

“…At the end of the session, in a sitting position, the participants were asked if they had experienced any discomfort of the kind associated with cybersickness. Based on our previous experiences [31,32], the clinical criteria of four physiotherapists, and by following general recommendations for physical activities for older adults [33], a BOX VR was chosen (available in the library of Viveport.com accessed on 10 July 2021), which simulates being in a gym. The participants must perform different boxing techniques (guard, jab, cross, hook, uppercut) and must move their trunk, head, and lower Based on our previous experiences [31,32], the clinical criteria of four physiotherapists, and by following general recommendations for physical activities for older adults [33], a BOX VR was chosen (available in the library of Viveport.com accessed on 10 July 2021), which simulates being in a gym.…”

“…Based on our previous experiences [31,32], the clinical criteria of four physiotherapists, and by following general recommendations for physical activities for older adults [33], a BOX VR was chosen (available in the library of Viveport.com accessed on 10 July 2021), which simulates being in a gym. The participants must perform different boxing techniques (guard, jab, cross, hook, uppercut) and must move their trunk, head, and lower Based on our previous experiences [31,32], the clinical criteria of four physiotherapists, and by following general recommendations for physical activities for older adults [33], a BOX VR was chosen (available in the library of Viveport.com accessed on 10 July 2021), which simulates being in a gym. The participants must perform different boxing tech-niques (guard, jab, cross, hook, uppercut) and must move their trunk, head, and lower limbs, to vary their position if required, as well as performing coordinated movements and cardiovascular exercise.…”

“…This game was chosen because it requires considerable body movement (joint mobility, muscle power, muscle tone) and provides a different form of physical interaction, very similar to the activities of a traditional physiotherapy session in older adults, and with a low probability of causing cybersickness symptoms (Figure 4). In previous studies, we have shown that virtual scenarios without accelerations or sudden changes of view minimize the impact of cybersickness [31,32]. Nevertheless, each participant undertook individual guided and supervised sessions, although all the subjects were present in the gym at the same time watching their peers train.…”

“…These assessment tools have been used in the evaluation of previous experiences [32,42] and were intended to assess the feasibility of using exercise-based IVR in the elderly population.…”