The adaptation of the GameSquad exergaming intervention for young adults with Down syndrome: A pilot feasibility study.

BACKGROUND

Exergames may be a feasible alternative to in-person exercise that is adaptable for adults with Down Syndrome (DS).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a 12-week pilot trial to assess the feasibility of exergames for adults with DS.

METHODS

Adults with DS were provided Ring Fit Adventure™ which uses a resistance ring and body weight to perform cardiovascular and strength exercises. Participants were instructed to play Ring Fit Adventure™ for 120 min/week and attend 30-min weekly virtual coaching sessions where a health educator encouraged gameplay via goal setting, helped troubleshoot technological issues, and collected self-reported minutes of gameplay. Intervention outcomes included attendance, adherence to weekly gameplay goals, retention, safety, and exercise intensity captured via heart rate and indirect calorimetry.

RESULTS

Twenty adults with DS (age 23.5 years, 89 % non-Hispanic white, 61 % female) enrolled and 19 participants completed the trial. Participants attended 93 % of coaching sessions and 90 % met the weekly gameplay goals. The average gameplay duration was 39 min/session and 123 min/week at 67.3 % of the participants' estimated maximum heart rate. Both the average heart rate during the intervention and metabolic equivalents (3.4 ± 1.0) during the indirect calorimetry assessment were suggestive of moderate intensity exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Attendance and adherence to the weekly gameplay goal were high among adults with DS who were able to reach and sustain moderate intensity during the exergame sessions. Exergaming represents a home-based option for accumulating minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity that is feasible for and acceptable to adults with DS.