Energy demands of individuals post-stroke during interactive video gaming

Off-the-shelf interactive video games are used in the rehabilitation of individuals post-stroke. However, the potential benefits of using the games for aerobic training have not been tested. The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine feasibility of measuring energy expenditure during interactive video gaming by individuals post-stroke and to characterize the energy demands of specific games. We used indirect calorimetry to measure energy expenditure of one healthy and two post-stroke individuals under four conditions: rest, Wii Fit™ Long Run, Penguin, and Wii Sports™ Boxing. We found that measuring interactive video gaming of people post-stroke was feasible and required mild to moderate exercise activity.