The cardiovascular effects of an exercise programme using the Microsoft Kinect in persons with complete spinal cord injuries

Abstract

Persons living with a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) are unable to voluntarily mobilize a section of their body; this is dependent on the level of the injury sustained. Immobility and resultant confinement to a wheelchair be it manual or automatic, limits the amount and type of exercise these persons are able to perform. Due to this lack of activity, persons with SCI are at risk of increased weight gain, which then predisposes them to noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Exercise has shown to somewhat decrease the degree of this risk. Numerous studies have been carried out with persons who have a SCI in relation to exercise, however none as yet had been carried out through the use of the Kinect. By means of this study, this gap in the literature was attempted to be met. This study consisted of five participants carrying out a three week exercise programme, two times per week for thirty minutes each session. The Xbox was used as the gaming platform and the Kinect as the motion sensor. Heart rate values were measured and questionnaires were distributed to gauge the participants' experience. The results showed a decrease in heart rate values in four out of the five participants, indicating positive cardiovascular effects. Positive feedback regarding all the participants' experience was also received. However, due to the small number of participants, these results may not be generalised to the whole spinal cord injury population and therefore the need for further research in the area is encouraged.