Resistive Action Video Games Enhance Functional Fitness of Disabled Workers in Sheltered Workshops

Enhancing Functional Fitness of Disabled Workers in Sheltered Workshops Through a Training Program Incorporating Resistive Action Video Games

Aims: Investigating the efficacy of resistive action video games on functional fitness (FF) of disabled workers in sheltered workshops (DWSWs).

Methods: Thirty-two DWSWs participated in this study and were allocated as either experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). DWSWs in EG underwent three 60-minute sessions each week for 12 weeks; those in CG maintained daily routine. The outcomes included all components FF and were measures at pre-, mid- and post-training.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a training program including resistive action video games on functional fitness (FF) of disabled workers in sheltered workshops (DWSWs).

Material and methods: Thirty-two DWSWs participated in this study and were allocated as either experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). DWSWs in EG underwent three 60-minute training sessions each week for 12 weeks. One of the session is group training and two of the sessions are individual session. In group session, the participants do aerobic exercise following a video which was launch by the health management ministry of city government. In the individual session, the participants play play two video games alternatively. The video games used are Fitness Boxing 2 and Adventure Ring-Fit. In addition to the training program, the participants in the EG maintain work and leisure routine in addition to the added training. The participants in the CG maintained daily work and leisure routine.The outcome measures included body mass index, body weight, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle rate, muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, balance and agility. All participants must be evaluated of the outcome measures at pre-, mid- and post-training time point.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (1) aged more than 20 years; (2) diagnosis of an intellectual disability, autism, or a psychiatric disorder; (3) employed for at least 6 hours per day and five days a week in the sheltered workshop; (4) capable of following verbal instructions to enable outcome measurement and of participating in the training program; and (5) voluntary agreement to participate and signed the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) advisement against performing moderate- to high-intensity physical activities by a physician and (2) physical limitations preventing independent walking or standing without an assistive device.