The Effect of Exercise Video Games on Dynamic Balance In
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THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE VIDEO GAMES ON DYNAMIC BALANCE IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES By Neema Kianfar A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Humboldt State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Kinesiology: Exercise Science Committee Membership Dr. Rock Braithwaite, Committee Chair Dr. Sheila Kelly, Committee Member Dr. Thomas “TK” Koesterer, Committee Member Shannon Childs ATC, Committee Member Dr. Rock Braithwaite, Graduate Coordinator May, 2013 ABSTRACT THE ABILITY OF THE NINTENDO WII FIT PLUS TO IMPROVE BALANCE IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES Neema Kianfar The purpose of this study was to determine balance training differences between the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ and traditional balance training programs as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Fifty-Nine Division II athletes (18-24 years old) from Humboldt State University were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups; control, Nintendo Wii™, traditional. Each group performed pre and post SEBT assessments with a four week time interval between tests. Testing protocols determined that the Nintendo Wii™ group performed balance exercises for 10 minutes on the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ with balance board, while the traditional group performed balance training exercises commonly seen in rehabilitation and exercise training for 10 minutes. The control group did not perform any balance exercises for the duration of the study. One way ANOVA statistical analysis determined that post-SEBT scores did not improve significantly in the control group but did significantly (p <.05) improve in the Nintendo Wii™ and traditional balance groups (Control = 6.15, Nintendo Wii ™ = 6.78, Traditional = 6.83). A Dependent t-test revealed that there was a significant difference (p < .05) in Nintendo Wii™ SEBT scores (pre = 5.79, post = 6.78). The Nintendo Wii Fit ii Plus™ with balance board is a suitable rehabilitative implement that can help increase balance in an athletic population to the same extent as a traditional balance training program. iii ACKNOWLEGEMENTS The completion of this Master’s Degree is dedicated to my friends and family who supported me throughout the entire process. First off, I would like to thank my mother Behjat Jounami and father Saeed Kianfar for supporting me my entire life. I would have never gotten where I am today without your emotional & financial support, as well unconditional love. I am forever grateful to be raised by such supportive parents. To my niece Alyssa, thank you for calling me weekly even when I was busy to put a smile on my face and keep me in positive spirits. In order to accomplish this degree, I needed a supportive group of friends to help me throughout the entire process, so I would like to thank my fellow graduate students who have pushed me to perform at my best as well as my best friends Shaun Chaban & Tyler Cabral for listening to my weekly “thesis problems”. I would especially like to thank Rock Braithwaite, Thomas “TK” Koesterer, Sheila Kelly and Shannon Childs for the countless hours that they have spent on this project, directing me into the right direction. Without the help of you guys I would not be able to achieve this special accomplishment. Humboldt State University should be very proud of all the Kinesiology professors because they demand the best out of everyone and I thank them for that. Most importantly I would like to thank myself for working hard, never giving up and achieving every goal that I set to accomplish. Lastly, I dedicate this thesis to my Aunt who I lost last summer 2012. RIP auntie Mohtaram, I miss you and I know you are very proud of me. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEGEMENTS .................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix LIST OF APPENDICES ..................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Review of Literature........................................................................................................ 2 Traditional Balance Exercise .......................................................................................... 3 Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ .................................................................................................. 4 Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) .............................................................................. 6 Research Question ........................................................................................................... 7 Hypothesis ....................................................................................................................... 7 Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 7 Delimitations ................................................................................................................... 8 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 10 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 10 Subjects. ..................................................................................................................... 10 Exclusion Criteria of Subjects. .................................................................................. 12 Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). ....................................................................... 13 Traditional Balance Exercises ....................................................................................... 18 v Double Leg Balance. ................................................................................................. 18 Single Leg Balance. ................................................................................................... 18 Tandem Leg Balance. ................................................................................................ 19 DynaDisc®. ............................................................................................................... 19 BOSU Ball®. ............................................................................................................. 20 DynaDisc® Orbits. .................................................................................................... 20 Balance Beam. ........................................................................................................... 21 Nintendo Wii™ Balance Exercises ............................................................................... 23 Soccer Heading. ......................................................................................................... 23 Ski Slalom.................................................................................................................. 24 Table Tilt. .................................................................................................................. 24 Tightrope Walk. ......................................................................................................... 24 Ski Jump. ................................................................................................................... 25 Penguin Slide. ............................................................................................................ 25 Balance Bubble. ......................................................................................................... 26 Snowboard Slalom. .................................................................................................... 26 Lotus Focus................................................................................................................ 26 Control Group ............................................................................................................... 29 Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 29 Subject Recruitment. ................................................................................................. 29 Pre-Test Measurements. ............................................................................................ 30 Training Groups. ........................................................................................................ 31 Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ and Balance Board. ............................................................ 32 vi Timing. ...................................................................................................................... 32 Study Design.............................................................................................................. 33 Post-Test Measurements. ..........................................................................................