Logo image
Back
Six weeks of unsupervised WiiFit game play improves balance and gait speed in independent older adults aged 65–84 years
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Six weeks of unsupervised WiiFit game play improves balance and gait speed in independent older adults aged 65–84 years

Vaughan P Nicholson, Brendan J Burkett and Mark McKean
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.16(Supplement 1), p.e53
asics Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport (ACSMS), 2013 (Phuket, Thailand, 22-Oct-2013–25-Oct-2013)
2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2013.10.126
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2013.10.126View
Published Version

Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science Public Health and Health Services WiiFit gait speed balance older adults
Introduction: Age related deterioration in postural control and balance are associated with an increased risk of falling and fall related injuries. Around 30% of people aged 65 years or older living in the community fall every year. Previous research has shown that various forms of exercise, including balance training can improve balance and reduce the risk and incidence of falls. The Nintendo WiiFit and Wii balance board is a commercially available computer and software package with which player movements control game play. It has been suggested that the Nintendo Wii may be an effective balance tool in older adults. The aim of this research was to determine if six weeks of unsupervised WiiFit gaming was safe and effective in improving clinical measures commonly associated with falls risk in independent community dwelling older adults. Methods: 41independently mobile older adults aged 74.5 years (range 65-84 years) were recruited from local retirement villages and educational settings to participate in a six-week two-group (19 Wii group, 22 control group) repeated measures study. Participants either undertook 30 min of unsupervised Wii balance gaming three times per week in their retirement village, or served as control participants. All participants completed the timed up and go, functional reach, lateral reach, single leg balance, 30 s chair stand, 6 m walk test and IconFES at baseline and six-weeks. Results: The Wii group demonstrated significant (p less than 0.05) improvements in the timed up and go, left single leg balance, lateral reach (left and right) and gait speed compared to the control group. The overall program adherence was 92%. No acute adverse events were reported. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first controlled study that has assessed the effectiveness of unsupervised Wii-based activity in independent older adults. The majority of previous Wii-based research has typically focused on in-patient populations or those with diagnosed balance impairments. The few studies that have assessed independent older adults have generally lacked control groups, have suffered from very small sample sizes or have provided close supervision to participants. The positive results in the Wii group together with the high program adherence suggest that unsupervised Wii-based gaming could be used effectively to improve balance and potentially reduce the risk of falling in independent older adults.

Details

Metrics

1 File views/ downloads
1150 Record Views
Logo image