PMID 38632713

Research
All papers

Exploring the Design of Upper Limb Strength Training Through High-Intensity Interval Training Combined With Exergaming: Usability Study

Lin SC, Lee JY, Yang Y, Fang CC, Fang HL, Hou TH

Question

Can HIIT-style exergaming using Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure produce upper-limb muscle activation comparable to or greater than push-ups?

Summary

Fifteen healthy active men compared push-up testing with Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure upper-limb exercises while heart rate and muscle activation were measured. Exergaming produced more repetitions and higher activation in several shoulder and chest muscles, but this was a short laboratory usability/EMG study rather than a training trial.

Methodology

  • Fifteen healthy active male participants
  • 15 participants.
  • Upper-limb exergaming with Ring-Con.
  • Work intervals: 20 seconds for single-round test or max repetitions.
  • Intensity: 60 beats/min pace or as quickly as possible.
  • Not reported.
  • Acute test day.
  • Acute study.
  • Randomized crossover repeated-measures usability and EMG study
  • Muscle activation, Repetitions, Heart rate, and Safety were tracked.

Outcomes

Repetitions

Exergaming produced more repetitions than push-ups in exhaustive and 20-second tests.

p=.001 across reported repetition comparisons.

Improved

EMG

Exergaming produced higher anterior deltoid and pectoralis major activation than push-ups.

Selected comparisons p=.001 to .006.

Improved

HR

Heart rate did not significantly differ between push-up and exergaming modes.

All HR comparisons p>.05.

No clear change

Safety

No adverse-event results were reported.

Unclear

Insights

  • Exergaming can be used to target specific upper-body muscles in short intervals.
  • Heart-rate response alone may miss differences in localized muscle activation.
  • This paper supports design exploration, not long-term effectiveness.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • All participants were healthy active men.
  • Acute EMG and repetition outcomes only.
  • No long-term strength, adherence, or enjoyment outcomes.
  • Adverse events were not explicitly reported.

Safety

  • Adverse events were not explicitly reported.
  • Participants completed PAR-Q, medical history, health questionnaires, and confirmed no history of upper or lower limb skeletal muscle injury or major injury.
  • Participants avoided vigorous activity, caffeine, and performance supplements for 24 hours before testing; sessions were separated by at least 3 days.