Measured and perceived exercise intensity during the performance of single-task, cognitive-motor dual-task and exergame training: a transversal study (Preprint)
UNSTRUCTURED The physical and cognitive loads during exergaming may differ from more conventional cognitive-motor dual-task trainings. The aim of this pilot transversal study was to compare exercise intensity during exergame, cognitive-motor dual-task and single-task training sessions. We recruited healthy young adults who carried out one session of each t type of training: exergaming, cognitive-motor dual-tasking and single-tasking. We used a custom-made exergame as support. The sessions lasted 30 minutes, were spaced at least 24 hours, and took place in random order for each group of 4 participants. We used heart rates to assess exercise intensity, and the modified Borg scale to assess their perception of intensity. Sixteen healthy young participants carried out all sessions. There was no difference between the different types of training in mean heart rates (p = 0.3), peak heart rates (p = 0.5) or Borg scale scores (p = 0.4). Our custom-made exergames measured and perceived physical load did not differ between cognitive-motor dual-task and single-task training. As a result, our exergame can be considered as intense as more traditional physical training. Future studies should be conducted in seniors with or without cognitive impairments and should incorporate an assessment of cognitive performance.