Background/Purpose Adventure-based activities present a non-traditional, but potentially innovative way to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity for young adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical demands of a rope climbing activity (prusik climbing) to Nintendo Wii boxing and a traditional form of exercise, brisk walking.
Method Twenty-four college students (24 ± 4 years; 175.4 ± 8.6 cm; 78.9 ± 17.4 kg) were recruited by word of mouth (snowball approach). Participants attended four laboratory sessions: a) 30 minutes of brisk walking, b) a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test, c) 30 minutes of Nintendo Wii Boxing, and d) 30 minutes of prusik climbing. During the walking, boxing, and prusik climbing bouts, heart rate (HR; Polar CIC, Inc., NY), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (Cosmed K4b2, Rome, Italy) were recorded.
Analysis/Results Average MET, energy expenditure (EE), and percent of VO2 reserve (%VO2R) were determined using the VO2max and variable data. Variable differences (average VO2, %VO2R, energy expenditure, HR, MET values) between groups (submaximal walking, Wii boxing, and prusik climbing) were examined using repeated measures and Tukeys post-hoc analyses. Prusik climbing generated significantly higher average VO2, %VO2R, HR, RPE, METs, and EE compared to brisk walking and Wii boxing (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between walking and Wii boxing (p>0.05).
Conclusions
Prusik climbing may provide an opportunity for college students to meet current physical activity recommendations. Future research examining the benefits of non-traditional modes of physical activity is warranted.