Author(s): CHEN, L., CHEN, P., Institution: NATIONAL TAIWAN SPORT UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1849

INTRODUCTION:
As populations age, falls have become a critical issue with postural automaticity increasing attentional demands, often leading to balance loss and gait variability under dual-task (DT) conditions. Evidence suggests that exergames, which integrate physical and cognitive challenges, may offer superior benefits compared to traditional training. Thus, this study investigated the effects of an 8-week Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) exergaming intervention on physical activity (PA), postural stability, and gait performance under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions among community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS:
Using a quasi-experimental design, 36 healthy older adults (aged 65–85) were assigned to an intervention group (IG, n=20) or a control group (CG, n=16). The IG performed 30 minutes of RFA training twice weekly for 8 weeks, while the CG maintained their habitual lifestyle. Outcome measures were collected at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 8-week follow-up (T2), including the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), 30-second Sit-to-Stand (30s-STS), static postural stability (sway area, SA, and sway speed, SS), and ST/DT gait parameters, including gait speed, step length, and stride length. A mixed analysis of covariance (mixed ANCOVA) was employed to analyze the primary intervention effects, with baseline values (T0) included as covariates to control for baseline-group differences. Effect sizes were reported according to Cohen's (1988) criteria, categorized as small (0.01), medium (0.06), or large (0.14) effects. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) method was used for post hoc comparison. All data were analyzed using SPSS software.
RESULTS:
A significant group main effect was observed for daily PA (F(1,33) = 5.74, p = .023, ηp² = .165), with the IG demonstrating significantly higher PA levels than the CG. Post-hoc analysis showed a decline in PA for the IG from T1 to T2 (p = .023). Regarding postural stability, a significant group main effect was found for SA in the "foam surface with eyes open" (FSEO) condition (F(1,33) = 6.19, p = .019, ηp²= .171). The IG showed improved stability in FSEO from T0 to T1 (p = .032), which slightly regressed from T1 to T2 (p = .048), yet the training effects for FSEO and FRT were partially sustained after de-training. No significant group effects were observed for ST or DT gait parameters or dual-task effects (DTE).
CONCLUSION:
An 8-week RFA exergaming program effectively enhances daily physical activity and static postural stability in healthy older adults. However, the intervention dosage or cognitive challenge may be insufficient to induce significant improvements in complex gait performance among high-functioning individuals. Future research may focus on recruiting frailer populations, using training with higher cognitive load, or accompanying more task-specific exercise programs to improve the transferability of training gains to overground walking.