Effect of Vegetable and Fruit Enzyme Supplementation on Muscle Activation, Aerobic Capacity, and Blood Biochemical Parameters After High-Intensity Interval Exercise: Feasibility Study of Exercise Design With Exergaming

After the pre-test, the enzyme group consumed 30 mL of vegetable and fruit enzymes (The contents include needle-leaf cherries, cherries, apples, cranberries, blackberries, black currants, blueberries, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, Concord grapes, cranberries, elderberries, kale, oranges, peaches, papayas, parsley, pineapples, raspberries, red currants, spinach, and tomatoes, etc.)(Enzyme Village, Chiayi, Taiwan) mixed with 150 mL of water twice a day (at breakfast and dinner) for 14 consecutive days. The placebo group followed the same protocol but consumed malt syrup (Amazon, USA) instead until the end of the study. Participants returned to the laboratory each morning to receive the daily supplement, which was administered on-site. Following supplementation, participants reported their dinner intake to the researchers, ensuring compliance with the prescribed supplementation regimen.

The blood lactate was measured at five time points: before exercise, after the fourth and eighth bouts of exercise, and at 5 and 10 minutes after exercise. The blood lactate were analyzed using a Biosen Cline blood analysis system (EKF-diagnostic, Germany). Capillary blood samples of 10 μL were collected and added to red blood cell lysis reagent and stored at low temperature until analyzed. Prior to analysis, instrument standardization and test calibration were performed, and the coefficient of variation was determined to be ≤1.5%. The detection range for blood lactate was 0.5-40 mM

In this study, the exercise load was represented by the TRIMP \[32\], which is calculated as the product of exercise intensity and duration. To accommodate the convenience of the experiment, two different TRIMP calculation methods were used, including % HRmax (objective) and RPE (subjective). At the end of each exercise bout (8 bouts in total) and during the recovery period before the next bout (7 bouts in total), participants were asked to report their RPE, and their heart rate was recorded. This process was repeated 8 times.

The sensor system utilized two Nintendo controllers: one mounted on the exercise ring and the other secured to the participant's thigh to enhance gameplay interaction. Through the Ring-Con, participants engaged in diverse physical activities such as weightlifting, yoga, and aerobic exercises. The fitness ring sensor accurately captures and integrates players' movements into the game. The gameplay involves unlocking levels and engaging in fitness challenges that are achieved through actual physical activities. It offers a wide range of exercise routines targeting various muscle groups and provides engaging gaming challenges. The exercise protocol included eight sets of 20-second high-effort exercises, interspersed with 30-second rest intervals, totaling 370 seconds of active exercise time. Specifically, the fitness game mode used was the Adventure Mode in 'Ring Fit Adventure,' comprising exercises targeting the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, deltoids, and quadriceps muscles.