Researchers analyzed 25 previous studies involving 2,078 healthy older adults, mostly women with an average age of 71.5 years. They compared the effects of exergaming—using video games that require physical movement—against conventional exercise therapies on muscle strength and balance. The studies measured outcomes like how quickly someone could stand up from a chair or complete a timed walking and turning test.
The analysis found that exergaming led to significantly greater improvements than conventional exercise in tests of balance and leg strength. The benefits were especially large when people did exergaming for at least three sessions per week. The researchers used statistical tools to assess the quality of the evidence and found the results were consistent across studies.
It's important to be cautious. The review reported relative improvements (effect sizes) but did not provide the actual numbers showing how much better people got. It also did not report any safety information or side effects from exergaming. The specific types of 'conventional exercise' used for comparison were not detailed, making it hard to know exactly what exergaming was being compared to.
Readers should understand this is a statistical summary of existing research, not a new clinical trial. The results suggest exergaming could be a promising alternative for improving physical function, but more information is needed about its practical benefits and safety for everyday use.