Effect of the Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure Exergame on Running Completion Time and Psychological Factors among University Students Engaging in Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Prospective Study (Preprint)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has not only changed the lifestyles of people globally but has also resulted in other challenges, such as the requirement of self-isolation and distance learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an inability to go out to exercise and a reduction in movement, so the demand for exercise at home has increased.

To investigate the relationships between a Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) intervention and improvements in running time, cardiac force index (CFI), sleep quality (CPSQI score), and mood disorders (BSRS-5 score).

This was a randomized prospective study. This study included 80 students who were required to complete a 1600-meter outdoor run before and after the intervention, the completion times of which were recorded in seconds. They were also required to fill out a lifestyle questionnaire. During the study, 40 participants (16 males and 24 females, with an average age of 23.75 years) were assigned to the RFA group and were required to exercise for 30 minutes three times per week (in the adventure mode) over four weeks. The exercise intensity was set according to the instructions given by the virtual coach during the first game. The remaining 40 participants (30 males and 10 females, with an average age of 22.65 years) were assigned to the control group and maintained their regular habits during the study period.

Eighty participants (age: 20–36 years; mean age: 23.20 years, standard deviation [SD] = 2.96) completed the study. This study found that the running time in the RFA group was significantly reduced. After four weeks of physical training, it took females in the RFA group 19.79 seconds (p = .025) and males 22.56 seconds (p = .034) less than the baseline to complete the 1600-meter run. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the performance of the control group in the 1600-meter run before and after the fourth week of intervention. In terms of mood disorder, the RFA group average score increased from 1.81 to 3.31 for males (difference = 1.50, p = .036) and from 3.17 to 4.54 for females (difference = 1.38, p = .062). In addition, no significant differences between the RFA and control groups were observed for CFI peak acceleration (CFIPA)_walk, CFIPA_run, or sleep quality.

RFA could either maintain or improve an individual’s physical fitness, thereby providing a good solution for people who are distance learning or those who have not exercised for an extended period.