Can persons with paraplegia obtain training heart rates when boxing on the Nintendo Wii?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether playing the boxing game on the Nintendo WiiTM could produce heart rates within 50 to 80% of the estimated heart rate reserve in people with paraplegia. Two participants engaged in three gaming sessions on the Nintendo Wii over a two week period. A ten minute warm up was done using the cycling programme on the Wii, followed by ten minutes of boxing. During the warm up participants were instructed to cycle at a comfortable pace. For the boxing, they competed against an able bodied player and were encouraged to give maximal effort. Heart rate was recorded at one minute intervals. Participant 1 was a 19 year old male who was classified as AIS A, neurological level T11. Participant 2 was a 23 year old male who was classified as AIS A, neurological level T7. During boxing participant 1 demonstrated values ranging from 33 to 55.7% of his estimated heart rate reserve. Participant 2 showed values ranging from 56 to 83.5% of his estimated heart rate reserve. The results indicate that persons with low level paraplegia can achieve training heart rates on the Nintendo Wii. Further studies are required however using a larger and more varied sample.