Reference data on reaction time and aging using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board: A cross-sectional study of 354 subjects from 20 to 99 years of age

Abstract

BackgroundFalls among older adults is one of the major public health challenges facing the rapidly changing demography. The valid assessment of reaction time (RT) and other well-documented risk factors for falls are mainly restricted to specialized clinics due to the equipment needed. The Nintendo Wii Balance Board has the potential to be a multi-modal test and intervention instrument for these risk factors, however, reference data are lacking.ObjectiveTo provide RT reference data and to characterize the age-related changes in RT measured by the Nintendo Wii Balance Board.MethodHealthy participants were recruited at various locations and their RT in hands and feet were tested by six assessors using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Reference data were analysed and presented in age-groups, while the age-related change in RT was tested and characterized with linear regression models.Results354 participants between 20 and 99 years of age were tested. For both hands and feet, mean RT and its variation increased with age. There was a statistically significant non-linear increase in RT with age. The averaged difference between male and female was significant, with males being faster than females for both hands and feet. The averaged difference between dominant and non-dominant side was non-significant.ConclusionThis study reported reference data with percentiles for a new promising method for reliably testing RT. The RT data were consistent with previously known effects of age and gender on RT.

Postural control and balance in a cohort of healthy people living in Europe

“…The study indicated that the RT gets worse with age. [77] Consequently, the assessment and the modification of the risk are the mainstay of fall prevention in the elderly. [78] In this context, Bianco et al [79] showed that particular physical activity can influence (Dance and ballroom dancing) the RT and, ultimately, decrease the risk falls.…”

The effect of Wii Fit exergames on static balance and motor competence in obese and non-obese college women

“…Thus, these games are regarded as a reaction time exercises. Reaction time exercises essentially represent the cognitive-motor interaction, which is crucial for balance recovery (Blomkvist et al, 2017), and Wii Fit exergames may increase balance by reinforcing it.…”

Reference data on hand grip and lower limb strength using the Nintendo Wii balance board: a cross-sectional study of 354 subjects from 20 to 99 years of age

“…Detailed protocols for assessment of balance and reaction time are available elsewhere [28, 32], and reference data on reaction time can be found in a separate publication [29].…”

“…The method has a good validity when compared against the reference standards for HGS and LS [20, 23, 27]. It has also been shown to be valid for testing reaction time [28, 29], muscle force steadiness [30], and postural balance in younger [31] and older adults [32, 33]. Hence, the WBB has the potential to provide accurate assessment of several physiological measures, previously unavailable in a community setting.…”