Table 1 Comparison of movement patterns between exergaming (Kinect) and traditional gym-based (TGB) exercise with no virtual stimuli

Reflex Ridge

Steering a cart along a track, avoiding obstacles by jumping and landing on two feet, squatting down, and using full body movements jumping from left to right to avoid barriers and collect points.

Jump up and down on the spot, taking off and landing in the same position (2 footed). In between jumping, perform a squat, keeping your back straight and not bent. Move your full body from left to right when instructed to do so as fast and safely as possible. Only under instruction from GB alternate the movements.

Full medial and lateral weight shifting. Vertical jumping and squatting low.

River Rush

Steering a river raft boat down a rapid to collect points by moving from left to right, reaching out to the sides to grasp points and jumping up and down (taking off and landing on two legs).

Move your whole body from left to right in a fast and safe manor when instructed. On the commend of GB jump, taking off and landing on two feet, either straight up and down or jumping to the left or right. When jumping reach lift both arms up and in the direction of movement (i.e. left or right).

Full medial and lateral weight shifting of the centre of gravity over base of support.

Boxing

Punch and kick as many virtual targets in a specific time (1 min).

Lift both arms up in front of chest and clinch your fingers into a fist position. Using alternative arms punch forward, and punch across your body with twisting of the torso at the same time.

For kicking movements kick straight in front at waist height, then alternatively kick across the body, requiring torso twisting.

Anterior and medial-lateral weight shifting of the centre of gravity over base of support. Concentric and eccentric hip and shoulder flexion and extension, with torso twists

Super Saver

Reaching up and forwards and moving legs and torso from side to side to block a ball from going in the goal

Lift both arms up and forwards and grasp your fingers and the drop them back down, move torso from left to right and move legs alternatively to the side.

Full medial and lateral weight shifting of the centre of gravity over base of support. Concentric shoulder flexion, finger flexion and hold and eccentric flexion back to neutral.

Target Kick

Kick virtual ball into the targets as many times as possible, standing on alternative legs to kick the ball.

Start in a normal neutral standing position, (two feet on the ground); alternatively produce kicking movements with each leg.

One legged standing with hip flexion and extension.

Bump Bash

Avoid as many targets thrown over a volleyball net by moving left or right, squatting down or jumping up to avoid the obstacles.

Start in a normal neutral standing alternatively produce squats, followed by jumping and moving to side to side as quickly and safely as possible. Under the instruction of GB the movements were randomised and shouted out to the participants.

Full medial and lateral weight shifting. Vertical jumping and squatting low.