Authors:
Mário Teixeira
1
;
Hildegardo Noronha
2
;
1
;
Pedro Campos
3
;
1
;
2
and
Cíntia França
4
;
2
Affiliations:
1
Department of Informatics Engineering and Interactive Media Design, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
;
2
LARSyS, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal
;
3
WoWSystems Informática Lda, Funchal, Portugal
;
4
Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Heart Rate, Intensity, Exercise, Adults.
Abstract:
Due to the exponential growth in technology, exergames emerged as innovative tools that might be used to promote PA enjoyably. This study describes the development of a virtual reality (VR) exergame and the preliminary implementation results. The system was developed through the Unity3D platform and the HCT Vive, consisting of two mini games: a dance game and a snow skiing game. Five healthy adults (25.2 3.9 years) performed one VR exergame session and were monitored for PA intensity and heart rate (HR). After the session, participants were asked to report their perceived exertion and to fill in a system usability questionnaire. During the session, participants spent more time in sedentary activity (≈ 37.5%), followed by light activity (≈ 35.1%), and moderate-to-vigorous activity (≈ 27.4%). An average of 27.2 steps/min and HR of 123.5 bpm were registered while playing. Perceived exertion scores were higher in the dance mini game than in the snow skiing mini game. Regarding usabilit
y, participants considered the system easy to use and would like to use it more often. This study summarizes preliminary and promising results on the ability of VR exergames to promote light and moderate PA.
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