Reduction in HbA1c with Exercise videogames among participants with elevated HbA1c: Secondary analysis of the Wii Heart Fitness trial

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice 2019-08, Vol.154, p.35-42
• Main Authors: Bock, Beth C., Dunsiger, Shira I., Wu, Wen-Chih, Ciccolo, Joseph T., Serber, Eva R., Lantini, Ryan, Marcus, Bess H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetes; Exercise; Physical activity; Prediabetes; Video games
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2019.06.011

Physical activity plays an important role in blood glucose management, yet most adults with elevated blood glucose do not engage in regular physical activity. Exercise videogames (EVGs) may be an attractive alternative for persons who have not found standard exercise modalities appealing. This sub-study within a larger trial examined the effects of 12 weeks of EVGs versus standard exercise (e.g., treadmill, cycling) and a control condition among individuals with elevated HbA1c (100% prediabetic). This study was conducted at a university research lab. Outcomes included HbA1c and weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) assessed using self-report and accelerometer.Other health risk indices (e.g., lipids) and psychosocial constructs shown to influence exercise participation (e.g., intrinsic motivation) were assessed. Participants (n = 84), averaged age 51.4 years (range 20–79), 80% were female, and 77.4% were non-Hispanic. Baseline HbA1c ranged from 5.7% to 6.4% (39–49 mmol/mol). At week 12, EVG participants demonstrated an average 2% reduction in HbA1c compared to a 0.6% reduction in Standard and Control groups (p’s = 0.04 and 0.03). EVG participants engaged in significantly more MVPA than Standard (+17 min/week) and Controls (+54 min/week) (p’s