Exergaming Versus On-Court Tennis: Comparing Enjoyment, Exertion, and Energy Expenditure in Training

Exergaming provide a convenient way for individuals to engage in physical activity. However, studies on the comparison between exergaming with traditional sports in terms of enjoyment, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), training intensity, and calories burned were limited. This study recruited fifty-seven participants to determine the differences and relationships between these variables in tennis sport. Participants played three matches each of exergaming tennis (EBTT group) and on-court tennis (OCTT group) over six days. The average heart rate, RPE, enjoyment, and calories burned were recorded for each match and comparisons were done between the groups. Overall, results suggested that OCTT group’s RPE (median= 6, IQR=1) was significantly higher (p<0.01) when compared to EBTT group (median= 5, IQR=2) by 1.2 times. In addition, the calories burned in OCTT group (mean= 515.52 kCal ±134.10), and training intensity (mean= 62.06% ±4.59) were also significantly higher (p<0.01) when compared to EBTT group’s calories burned (mean= 421.09 kCal ±140.17), and training intensity (mean= 57.47 % ± 5.47) by 1.22 times, and 1.08 times respectively. However, EBTT group’s enjoyment level (mean= 113.89 ±4.58) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than OCTT group (mean= 107.35 ±4.62) by 1.06 times. The enjoyment level was also found to be negatively correlated with RPE (rs=- 0.37), training intensity (r=- 0.02), and calories burned (r=-0.16). In conclusion, although EBTT group’s RPE, calories burned, and training intensity were lower compared to OCTT, the enjoyment level was higher. This could encourage longer exercise hours, thus improving overall physical wellness.