title: Effects of feedback on activation of the quadriceps during weight-bearing tasks of the Wii.
abstract: [Purpose] This investigation evaluated the effect of real-time feedback on electrical activation of the quadriceps during 3 weight-bearing tasks of the Wii Fit Plus(®). [Subjects] Thirty male healthy volunteers were recruited. [Methods] Activation of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris muscles was recorded during virtual lunge, single leg extension, and single leg reach exercises. Each exercise was performed twice in 3 randomized experimental conditions (with visual feedback, with auditory feedback, and with no feedback). The normalized electromyographic data (using maximum voluntary isometric contraction) were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey's test. [Results] No significant difference was found in the muscles among the feedback conditions during the 3 exercises. However, the variation in the muscle activity of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis (18.23-29.20% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction) was higher (47-62%) than that in the rectus femoris (7.35-12.98% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction). [Conclusion] Real-time feedback did not alter quadriceps activation during the Wii tasks. Additionally, these games showed electromyographic activation levels similar to those for the same tasks outside the virtual environment. The Wii weight-bearing tasks could therefore constitute a physical activity program but without the additional benefit of feedback.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Institute, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Brazil ; Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandes da Silva
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Institute, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Brazil ; Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aparecido de Souza
authors.affiliation: Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), Brazil.
authors.forename: Eric Fernandes
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Institute, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Brazil.
authors.forename: Landulfo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Institute, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Balbin
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Villaverde
keywords: Electromyography; Exergames; Functional exercises