AUTHOR=Ketelhut Sascha , Ketelhut Reinhard G. , Kircher Eva , Röglin Lisa , Hottenrott Kuno , Martin-Niedecken Anna Lisa , Ketelhut Kerstin 

TITLE=Gaming Instead of Training? Exergaming Induces High-Intensity Exercise Stimulus and Reduces Cardiovascular Reactivity to Cold Pressor Test

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.798149

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2022.798149

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>The present study assessed if an exercise session in an innovative exergame can modulate hemodynamic reactivity to a cold pressor test (CPT) to a similar extent as a typical moderate endurance training (ET). Furthermore, cardiorespiratory, and affective responses of an exergame session and an ET were compared.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Twenty-seven healthy participants aged 25 ± 4 years (48% female; BMI 23.0 ± 2.1 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) participated in this cross-sectional study. All participants completed both an ET on a treadmill and training in the ExerCube (ECT). HR and oxygen consumption were recorded during both training sessions. Before and after both exercise sessions, the hemodynamic reactivity to a CPT was determined.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>During ECT, HR, oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and the metabolic equivalent of the task were significantly higher than those obtained during ET (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). With regard to the CPT, the participants showed significantly lower responses in peripheral systolic (<italic>p</italic> = 0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (<italic>p</italic> = 0.009) as well as central systolic (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002) and diastolic BP (<italic>P</italic> = 0.01) after ECT compared to ET. The same was true for pulse wave velocity (<italic>p</italic> = 0.039).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The ECT induced a significantly higher exercise stimulus compared to the ET. At the same time, it attenuated hemodynamic stress reactivity. The ECT presents a relevant training stimulus that modulates cardiovascular reactivity to stress, which has been proven as a predictor for the development of hypertension.</p></sec><sec><title>Trial Registration</title><p>ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN43067716, 14 April 2020, Trial number: 38154.</p></sec>