Exergaming & HIIT

Exergaming with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and its effects on heart rate variability (HRV), cognition and physical functions

Age-associated degenerative physical and cognitive changes are known factors to reduce life quality and independence in elderly. Additionally, rising healthcare costs become a burden for the entire population. Consequently, training interventions to keep the older age group healthy and independently are needed. Exergames - games which require physical activity to play the game – are a promising option for motivating and engaging cognitive-motor training, especially in combination with newly available technologies. Moreover, heart rate variability (HRV) has been getting attention in the field of exercise research. Besides being an indicator for physical and possibly cognitive health; HRV has also been discussed as a possible prescription tool to individualize training exercise intensity.

This study’s goal is to evaluate the effect of training intensity on HRV as well as on cognitive and physical functions. Furthermore, we will investigate whether baseline HRV values are associated with training benefits resulting from different training intensities. The study is planned for autonomous living, healthy older adults aged 65 years and older. The intervention contains 24 training sessions (30-40 minutes each session, three times per week, 8 weeks in total). Two different training groups will be included: The first group exercises at a continuous low-to-moderate intensity, while the second group follows a HIIT protocol. Before and after the intervention period, HRV, physical and cognitive functions are assessed.
The findings of this study will lead to new knowledge regarding the effects of exergame training with different training intensity on HRV and physical and cognitive functions. Moreover, knowledge is gained regarding the relationship of baseline HRV and training benefits due to different exercise intensities. Thus, the study will review new information on how to improve interventions and individualization of training for older adults.

This study is a collaboration of our research group with Patrick Eggenberger from EMPA and with the company external page Dividat.