title: Short and long-term effects of exergaming for the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exergaming has been introduced in safe and beneficial intervention for the elderly. However, no study has examined exergaming-based interventions for the elderly that last several years. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness and safety of a 12-week intervention using step training with exergaming for the elderly (12-week study). Moreover, we conducted an exergaming-based intervention for 3 years (3-year study).
  
  
  METHODS
  12-week study: Forty-two elderly persons participated in this study. Using an in-house developed exergaming protocol, a step training was performed for 15 min/session twice a week for 12 weeks. We investigated post-intervention changes in motor functions, successful step-rate, the intensity of exercise, which was evaluated using Borg scale (Rating of Perceived Exertion). 3-year study: An intervention using exergaming was conducted for 12 weeks by 20 elderly participants. Two courses/year of exercise were performed at 3-month intervals. This was continued for 3 years. The exercise continuation rate, its influence on motor functions were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  12-week study: Lower-limb muscle strength, balancing capacity, and whole body reaction time significantly improved in the exercise group. The mean score on Borg scale was 12 ± 2 on the first day of the step exercise and 9 ± 2 on the final day. 3-year study: Exercise was continued in 16 out of the 20 subjects. The Timed Up and Go Test, duration of one-footed standing, and quadriceps strength significantly improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study showed that exergaming provided an appropriate exercise intensity for the elderly and safely improved motor functions. The exercise continuation rate in the 3-year study was high. Improvements in motor functions may contribute to the prevention of falls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Center, Kochi Medical School Hospital, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505 Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagano
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Kurihara Central Hospital, Kurihara, Miyagi 987-2205 Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kubokawa Hospital, Takaokagun Shimantocho, Kochi 786-0002 Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505 Japan.
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505 Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikeuchi
keywords: Exercise continuation; Exergaming; Step training