A1 Journal article (refereed)
Movement characteristics during customized exergames after total knee replacement in older adults (2022)

Janhunen, M., Löppönen, A., Walker, S., Punsár, T., Katajapuu, N., Cheng, S., Paloneva, J., Pamilo, K., Luimula, M., Korpelainen, R., Jämsä, T., Heinonen, A., & Aartolahti, E. (2022). Movement characteristics during customized exergames after total knee replacement in older adults. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, Article 915210. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.915210

JYU authors or editors

Janhunen, Maarit
Löppönen, Antti
Walker, Simon
Punsár, Taavi
Cheng, Shulin
Heinonen, Ari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Janhunen, Maarit; Löppönen, Antti; Walker, Simon; Punsár, Taavi; Katajapuu, Niina; Cheng, Sulin; Paloneva, Juha; Pamilo, Konsta; Luimula, Mika; Korpelainen, Raija; et al.

Journal or series: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

eISSN: 2624-9367

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 27/07/2022

Volume: 4

Article number: 915210

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.915210

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82477

Abstract

Introduction: There is limited understanding of how older adults can reach kinematic goals in rehabilitation while performing exergames and conventional exercises, and how similar or different the kinematics during exergaming are when compared with conventional therapeutic exercise with similar movement. The aim of this study was to describe the movement characteristics performed during exercise in custom-designed exergames and conventional therapeutic exercises among patients who have undergone unilateral total knee replacement (TKR). In addition, the secondary aim was to assess the relation of these exercise methods, and to assess participants' perceived exertion and knee pain during exergaming and exercising.

Materials and methods: Patients up to 4 months after the TKR surgery were invited in a single-visit exercise laboratory session. A 2D motion analysis and force plates were employed to evaluate movement characteristics as the volume, range, and intensity of movement performed during custom-designed knee extension-flexion and weight shifting exergames and conventional therapeutic exercises post TKR. The perceived exertion and knee pain were assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion and Visual Analog Scale, respectively.

Results: Evaluation of seven patients with TKR [age median (IQR), 65 (10) years] revealed that the volume and intensity of movement were mostly higher during exergames. Individual goniometer-measured knee range of motion were achieved either with exergames and conventional therapeutic exercises, especially in knee extension exercises. The perceived exertion and knee pain were similar after exergames and conventional therapeutic exercises.

Conclusions: During custom-designed exergaming the patients with TKR achieve the movement characteristics appropriate for post-TKR rehabilitation without increasing the stress and pain experienced even though the movement characteristics might be partly different from conventional therapeutic exercises by the volume and intensity of movement. Physical therapists could consider implementing such exergames in rehabilitation practice for patients with TKR once effectiveness have been approved and they are widely available.

Keywords: knees; surgical treatment; rehabilitation; physiotherapy; physical training; motion; kinematics; trajectories; musculoskeletal system