The effect of an exergame on physical activity among older adults residing in a long-term care facility: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Older adults who engage in arranged residential video games have the potential to gain health benefits such as increase in physical activity beyond purposeful movement with movement-based games.

Methods: A Nintendo Wii video gaming system was implemented for six-weeks as a physical activity intervention with long-term care residents to determine the impact on exercise benefits/barriers, self-efficacy for exercise, and physical activity levels.

Results: Paired t-tests revealed improvement in exercise benefits/barriers, self-efficacy for exercise, and physical activity levels, albeit none with statistical significance (all p > .05).

Conclusions: The use of the Nintendo Wii as an intervention to enhance physical activity for older adults in nursing home residents should be considered for use over a longer duration of time with older adults.

Keywords: Nintendo Wii: Physical activity; Older adults.