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

PMID: 38632713
Journal: JMIR serious games
Published: 2024 Apr 17
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Fifteen healthy active male participants
- Sample size: 15
- Age: 24.4 +/- 10.4 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Regular exercise 3 times/week; push-up capable
- Health status: Generally healthy, no major limb injury history

## Methodology

- Randomized crossover repeated-measures usability and EMG study
- Acute tests on separate days with at least 3 days between test types
- University laboratory
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Ring Fit Adventure exergaming test.
- Modality: Upper-limb exergaming with Ring-Con.
- Work intervals: 20 seconds for single-round test or max repetitions.
- Sets or repetitions: Targeted deltoid, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi exercises.
- Intensity: 60 beats/min pace or as quickly as possible.
- Session duration: Not reported.
- Frequency: Acute test day.
- Program length: Acute study.
- Progression: None.
- Push-up test.
- Modality: Traditional push-ups.
- Work intervals: 20 seconds for single-round test or max repetitions.
- Sets or repetitions: Maximum repetition and 20-second tests.
- Intensity: 60 beats/min pace or as many as possible.
- Session duration: Not reported.
- Frequency: Acute test day.
- Program length: Acute study.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### Repetitions
Status: improved
Exergaming produced more repetitions than push-ups in exhaustive and 20-second tests.

p=.001 across reported repetition comparisons.

### EMG
Status: improved
Exergaming produced higher anterior deltoid and pectoralis major activation than push-ups.

Selected comparisons p=.001 to .006.

### HR
Status: no clear change
Heart rate did not significantly differ between push-up and exergaming modes.

All HR comparisons p>.05.

### Safety
Status: unclear
No adverse-event results were reported.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38632713/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.2196/51730) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11040163/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.