Measured and Perceived Exercise Intensity During the Performance of Single-Task, Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task, and Exergame Training: Transversal Study (Preprint)

Gallou-Guyot, Matthieu; Perrochon, Anaick; Marie, Romain; Bourgeois, Maxence; Mandigout, Stephane · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.2196/preprints.36126

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This pilot transversal study investigated whether the physical and cognitive loads of exergaming (EG) differ from conventional cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) and single-task (ST) training. The research was motivated by the need to determine if a custom-made exergame provides exercise intensity comparable to traditional physical training, which is considered the reference modality. While previous studies indicated high variability in intensity across different commercial exergames, this study aimed to directly compare objectively measured and perceived exercise intensity across three training conditions in healthy young adults. The study recruited 16 apparently healthy young adults (mean age 24.6 years) who completed three 30-minute training sessions: EG, CMDT, and ST. The sessions were randomized, spaced at least 24 hours apart, and conducted in groups of four. All conditions utilized identical motor tasks (stepping, muscle strength, and balance exercises) and cognitive tasks (verbal fluency, arithmetic, memory, etc.). The key distinction lay in the support used: EG employed a custom-designed virtual reality game using HTC Vive trackers and a projector; CMDT used the same tasks with instructor guidance but no game interface; and ST involved only the motor tasks without concurrent cognitive demands. Exercise intensity was objectively measured using mean and peak heart rates (HR) via Polar H10 monitors, while perceived exertion was assessed using the modified Borg scale. The results demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the three training types in terms of mean HR (P=.27), peak HR (P=.50), or Borg scale scores (P=.40). Specifically, mean heart rates were 119.8 bpm for EG, 123.8 bpm for CMDT, and 128.1 bpm for ST, representing approximately 64%, 66%, and 68% of theoretical maximum heart rate, respectively. Perceived exertion scores were similarly low and comparable across groups (EG: 3.1, CMDT: 3.6, ST: 3.3 out of 10). These findings indicate that the custom exergame induced a moderate physical load equivalent to both dual-task and single-task traditional training. The authors conclude that their custom exergame is as challenging as traditional physical training regarding exercise intensity, validating its potential as a tool for inducing physical effects while adding cognitive load in an engaging environment. The study suggests that such exergames could be effective for promoting physical activity, particularly in older adults for fall prevention. However, the authors note limitations, including the small sample size, the use of heart rate rather than direct metabolic measures like oxygen consumption, and the specific context of the custom software. Future research is recommended to assess cognitive performance alongside physical intensity in older adults with or without cognitive impairments.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• workload measurement