Upper limb endurance in elderly women following 8 weeks of exergame boxing: A randomized controlled trial

Arms function in the elderly is important in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Identifying age-related arm muscle endurance declines is essential in assessing impairment of functional ability. Multimodal exercise involving aerobic exercises, strength training, balance, and flexibility exercises, such as exergames is the most effective intervention to improve lean muscle mass, strength, and overall health performance in older adults. This study assesses whether 8 weeks of exergame boxing affects upper limb endurance in elderly women. Thirty participants from the elderly women were randomized into the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The IG played exergame boxing three times a week, 30 minutes per session for eight weeks. Participants in both groups were required to follow low-intensity aerobic exercise five times a week lasting 15 minutes. All participants were assessed for upper limb endurance through arm curl tests before and after eight weeks of intervention. There was an increase in upper limb endurance after eight weeks of low-intensity aerobic exercise in the CG and after exergame boxing in the IG. The arm curl test score increased significantly in the IG compared to the CG. Exergame boxing for eight weeks combined with low-intensity aerobic exercise can have a positive effect on endurance in the upper limbs of elderly women compared to the use of low-intensity aerobic exercise alone. This supports the recommendation for regular implementation of exergame boxing for older adults living in nursing homes.