Exergames Research Articles

Cognitive neural characteristics of professional action video game players

Cognitive neural characteristics of professional action video game players

动作视频游戏对视觉注意的影响

动作视频游戏对视觉注意的影响

Effects of action video games on different attentional subnetworks: Evidence from a meta-analysis

Effects of action video games on different attentional subnetworks: Evidence from a meta-analysis

Physical Exercise and Performance in Esports Players: An Initial Systematic Review

Background: Participation in esports (excluding active video games) has raised concerns due to its sedentary nature and the potential negative effects this may have on player health. As well, research suggests that physical activity (PA)/exercise improves specific cognitive skills that have been identified as positive contributors to esports performance. The aim of this systematic review was to assess whether evidence supports that PA/exercise positively impacts esports player performance. Methods: The systematic literature search comprised PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science up until March 31, 2022. An additional search included reference list searching, citation searching, and hand searching. Results: Emerging evidence suggests that PA/exercise as an intervention may have a positive effect on esports performance. While it appears that the majority of esports players believe PA/exercise to be beneficial to esports performance, only a minority currently undertake PA/exercise for the purpose of improving esports performance. Conclusion: Although further controlled experimental research is necessary, results highlight that PA/exercise may positively correlate with esports performance. These effects are consistent with the majority of player perceptions that PA/exercise is beneficial to esports performance. Qualified fitness and health professionals should be utilized to implement training to enhance esports performance, improve health, and extend player career length.

Effect of active video games on cognitive functions in healthy children and adolescents. Systematic review of randomized controlled studies

Aims: To examine the effect of active video game interventions (exergames) on cognitive functions in healthy children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement, using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search was restricted to randomized controlled studies evaluating the effect of exergames in a young healthy population on some cognitive variable. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies identified an improvement in some cognitive variable after exergame interventions. Only one study implemented an acute protocol of active video games finding a positive effect on cognitive flexibility. Concerning the chronic exergame interventions (range 4–24 weeks), favorable effects on global executive functions and inhibitory control were identified. Conclusions: The results of the included studies suggest a favorable acute effect and positive chronic effects of active video game interventions on cognitive variables in healthy children and adolescents. However, these effects appear to be inconclusive given the low number of studies, and the overall methodological quality and risks of bias. Thus, it is necessary to support these findings with future research.

What's in a game: Video game visual-spatial demand location exhibits a double dissociation with reading speed

This research sought to clarify the nature of the relationship between video game experience, attention, and reading. Previous studies have suggested playing action video games can improve reading ability in children with dyslexia. Other research has linked video game experience with visual-spatial attention, and visual-spatial attention with reading. We hypothesized that the visual-spatial demands of video games may drive relationships with reading through attentional processing. In this experiment we used a hybrid attention/reading task to explore the relationship between video game visual-spatial demands, reading and attention. We also developed novel visual-spatial demand measures using participants' top five played video games for an individual-specific measure of visual demands. Peripheral visual demands in video games were associated with faster reading times, while central visual demands were associated with slower reading times for both phonetic decoding and lexical reading. In addition, video game experience in terms of hours spent playing video games each week interacted with the cueing effect size in the lexical reading condition, with experienced video game players exhibiting a larger cueing effect than participants with less video game experience. These results suggest that exposure to peripheral visual spatial demands in video games may be related to both lexical and sublexical reading processes in hybrid attentional reading tasks such as ours with skilled adult readers, which has implications not only for models of how ventral and dorsal stream reading and visual-spatial attention are integrated, but also for the development of dyslexia diagnostics and remediation.

Task-specificity and transfer of skills in school-aged children with and without developmental coordination disorder

AimTo compare the effects of two Active Video Game (AVG) protocols on transfer of learning in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). MethodsFifty children, aged 6–10 years were randomly allocated to either group A or B. Children in group A participated in a set of Nintendo Wii ball games whereas group B played agility games (8 DCD and 17 typically developing children (TD) per group). Participants in each group practiced Wii games for 20 min twice a week for 10 weeks. All children also practiced ball and agility games in real-world settings, once per week. ResultsBoth protocols yielded positive effects with the largest effect sizes shown on agility and balance items of the PERF-FIT and KTK tests. No interaction was found on learning real-world games and the virtual protocol, except for a Ping-Pong game. A significant interaction of time by protocol group indicated that the Ball group improved more on BOT-2-Upper-Limb Coordination than the Agility group. Importantly, children with DCD improved comparably with TD peers in virtual and real-world games. ConclusionIndependent of training protocol, both children with DCD and TD children performed better on trained and non-trained ball, balance and agility tasks after 10 weeks of training.

Virtual Runner: A Virtual Reality-based Exergaming Application using Accelerometer

Generally speaking, playing video games didn't require a lot of movement or exercise, but with technological advances and the introduction of new features in the game console, you can now design "fitness games" where the movement of the player's body is reflected to the game. This is called exergaming. On the other hand, with the still ongoing pandemic, many opt to work and take their activities back at home including exercising. However, at-home exercise can be monotonous, repetitive, and even discouraging for many, thus an exergaming can be a solution. In this research we created a Virtual Reality-based exergaming that encourage its users to exercise and have fun at the same time. By utilizing a typical Android smartphone’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass, we created an affordable exergaming device. The app also features estimated calories counter as well as high scoring to entice its users.

Video game play as a meaningful online social activity – a virtual zone for integrative L2 learning and practice

The video game play provides meaningful social interactions through which the participants’ vocabulary can frequently benefit because it utilizes both implicit and explicit learning occasions. The play carries phrases, necessity of communication and task completion where there is an emerging opportunity of integrative learning. Grammar may be deduced from practicing sentence patterns which thus can be anchored into one’s lexicon. Following the latest research data, we attempt to find an answer to which type of video game presents an effective environment for vocabulary acquisition. In our study, we compared 646 video gamer students from five Hungarian secondary schools who completed a receptive vocabulary levels test. It was proven that the action video games have the most significant effect on the participant’s lexical advancement.

Immersive virtual reality fitness games for enhancement of recovery after colorectal surgery: study protocol for a randomised pilot trial

BackgroundPhysical inactivity after surgery is an important risk factor for postoperative complications. Compared to conventional physiotherapy, activity-promoting video games are often more motivating and engaging for patients with physical impairments. This effect could be enhanced by immersive virtual reality (VR) applications that visually, aurally and haptically simulate a virtual environment and provide a more interactive experience. The use of VR-based fitness games in the early postoperative phase could contribute to improved mobilisation and have beneficial psychological effects. Currently, there is no data on the use of VR-based fitness games in the early postoperative period after colorectal surgery.MethodsThis pilot trial features a single-centre, randomised, two-arm study design with a 1:1 allocation. Patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery for colorectal cancer or liver metastases of colorectal cancer will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Patients randomised to the intervention group will perform immersive virtual reality-based fitness exercises during their postoperative hospital stay. Feasibility and clinical outcomes will be assessed.DiscussionEarly mobilisation after surgery is crucial for reducing many postoperative complications. VR-based interventions are easy to use and often inexpensive, especially compared to interventions that require more medical staff and equipment. VR-based interventions could serve as an alternative or complement to regular physiotherapy and enhance mobilisation after surgery. The proposed pilot study will be the first step to evaluate the feasibility of VR-based interventions in the perioperative period, with the aim of improving the postoperative rehabilitation of cancer patients.Trial registrationThe trial has been registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) Nr. DRKS00024888, on April 13, 2021, WHO Universal Trial Number (UTN) U1111-1261–5968.

Beat Saber as Virtual Reality Exercising in 360 Degrees: A Moderated Mediation Model of VR Playable Angles on Physiological and Psychological Outcomes

ABSTRACT Physical inactivity is a global problem, and active video games (AVGs) have been demonstrated as effective at motivating players to be more physically active. Virtual-reality AVGs (VRAVGs) further encourage engagement with exerting gameplay by challenging players to move in a full 360-degree range of motion. As a unique feature of VRAVGs, we examined the influence of using multiple playable angles in Beat Saber on players’ physical activity and psychological outcomes. A between-subjects experiment randomly assigned participants (N = 240) to one of the three playable angles (single fixed angle, 90-degree, and 360-degree modes). Informed by the interactivity-as-demand model, a moderated mediation model of playable angles on enjoyment was supported. Players perceive higher cognitive and exertional demands in both multi-angle modes than those in single-angle mode, which leads to greater perceived difficulty and further enhances the enjoyment for players with a higher need for cognition, but negatively affects the enjoyment for players with a lower need for cognition. Multi-angle modes also led to greater motivation for future play and subjective vitality through greater cognitive demands, and more physical activity via higher exertional demands. We conclude that, in VR exercise, multiple playable angles are a unique feature that positively influences physical activity outcomes.

Development of a Novel Home-Based Exergame With On-Body Feedback: Usability Study.

With more than 1.4 billion adults worldwide classified as physically inactive, physical inactivity is a public health crisis leading to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Motivating and engaging training strategies are needed to tackle this public health crisis. Studies have shown that exergames, games controlled by active body movements, are potentially usable, attractive, and effective tools for home-based training. The ExerCube (by Sphery Ltd) has been developed as a physically immersive and adaptive functional fitness game. The development of a home-based version of the ExerCube could increase accessibility, reduce barriers to exercise, and provide an attractive solution to improve physical and cognitive health. The aim was threefold: (1) to develop a usable home-based exergame system, (2) to evaluate the usability and training experience of the home-based exergame and its early-stage on-body feedback system, and (3) to identify avenues for further user-centered design iterations of the system. A total of 15 healthy participants (mean age 25, SD 3 years) completed 2 laboratory visits consisting of four 5-minute exergame sessions. In each session, the on-body feedback system provided a different feedback modality (auditory, haptic, and visual feedback) to the participant. Following the second visit, participants completed a range of assessments, including the System Usability Scale (SUS), the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), the Flow Short Scale (FSS), the Immersive Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), and a rating of perceived exertions (RPEs) both physically and cognitively. Participants answered questions regarding the on-body feedback system and completed a semistructured interview. Usability was rated as acceptable, with a SUS score of 70.5 (SD 12). The questionnaires revealed medium-to-high values for the training experience (FSS: 5.3, SD 1; PACES: 5.3, SD 1.1; IEQ: 4.7, SD 0.9. Physical (mean 4.8, SD 1.6) and cognitive (mean 3.9, SD 1.4) RPEs were moderate. Interviews about the on-body feedback system revealed that the majority of participants liked the haptic feedback and the combination of haptic and auditory feedback the best. Participants enjoyed the distinct perceptibility, processing, and integration of the exergame and its supportive and motivating effect. The visual feedback was perceived less positively by participants but was still classified as "potentially" helpful. The auditory feedback was rated well but highlighted an area for further improvement. Participants enjoyed the training experience and described it as motivating, interactive, immersive, something new, interesting, self-explanatory, as well as physically and cognitively challenging. Moreover, 67% (n=10) of the participants could imagine exercising at home and continuing to play the exergame in the future. The home-based exergame and its early-stage on-body feedback system were rated as usable and an enjoyable training experience by a young healthy population. Promising avenues emerged for future design iterations.

How much did it cost to develop and implement an eHealth intervention for a minority children population that overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic?

BackgroundeHealth interventions using active video games (AVGs) offer an alternative method to help children exercise, especially during a pandemic where options are limited. There is limited data on costs associated with developing and implementing such interventions. ObjectivesWe quantified the costs of delivering an eHealth RCT intervention among minority children during COVID-19. MethodsWe categorized the total trial cost into five subcategories: intervention material development, advertising and recruitment, intervention delivery, personnel salaries, and COVID-19-related equipment costs. ResultsThe total RCT cost was $1,927,807 (Direct: $1,227,903; Indirect: $699,904) with three visits required for each participant. The average cost per participant completing the RCT (79 participants/237 visits) was $24,403 (Direct: $15,543; Indirect: $8860). Due to no-shows and cancellations (198 visits) and dropouts before study completion (61 visits; 56 participants), 496 visits had to be scheduled to ensure complete data collection on 79 participants. If all 496 visits were from participants completing the three-visit protocol, that would correspond to 165 participants, bringing the average cost per participant down to $11,684 (Direct: $7442; Indirect: $4242). Of the subcategories, intervention material development accounted for the largest portion, followed by personnel salaries. While the direct COVID-19-specific cost constituted <1% of the entire budget, the indirect effects were much larger and significantly impacted the trial. ConclusionRCTs typically involve significant resources, even more so during a pandemic. Future eHealth intervention investigators should budget and plan accordingly to prepare for unexpected costs such as recruitment challenges to increase flexibility while maximizing the intervention efficacy.

Interventions for Health Promotion and Obesity Prevention for Children And Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities (DD)

<h3>Objective(s)</h3> To evaluate efficacy of health promotion and obesity prevention interventions among children and adolescents with DD. <h3>Data Sources</h3> Databases searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Health Source: Nursing/Academic, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus. Search terms: child*, adolesc*, pediatric*, disability, intellectual*, impair*, development*, autis*, down syndrome*, cognitive*; health promotion, healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, obesity intervention, obesity prevention, physical exercise; BMI, eating behaviors, physical in/activity, dietary intake, and sedentary behaviors. <h3>Study Selection</h3> Inclusion criteria: (1) children and adolescents (6-17 years) with DD (2) interventions targeting obesity outcomes within a child's natural environment; (3) peer-reviewed, experimental or quasi-experimental studies; (4) quantitative or mixed methods approach; (5) reported primary outcomes for the child; (6) published between 2010 – 2021. Reviewers worked in pairs to independently screen articles. Author and journal information was blinded. Selection was based on consensus. Average interrater reliability across screeners was high (92.7%). Of 21,889 unique records, 21 studies met selection criteria. <h3>Data Extraction</h3> Data Extraction was conducted by six research team members who worked in three pairs using a standardized form adapted from existing sources. We adapted Reichow's (2011) evaluative method for rating the rigor of each study and determining the overall level of evidence for each intervention. Interrater reliability for rating of rigor was 88%. Rating disagreements within pairs were resolved through discussion. <h3>Data Synthesis</h3> Interventions were categorized into five categories including: aerobic and strength training, sport-based physical activity, aquatic exercise, active video gaming, and diet and lifestyle interventions. None of the intervention categories met the recommended threshold for ‘established' EBP. Aquatic exercise programs and active videogaming programs approached Reichow's (2011) cut off for ‘probable EBP'. Diet and lifestyle interventions, aerobic and strength training exercise programs, and sports-based physical activity programs warranted an overall rating of ‘not an EBP'. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Interventions such as sports-based exercise programs and active video gaming showed promise, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Future research must focus on theoretically grounded and rigorous intervention studies with diverse samples. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None

Feasibility of a Virtual Game-Based Activity Intervention in Breast Cancer Survivors During The COVID-19 Pandemic

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> Report the feasibility of a virtual active video game (AVG)-based physical activity (PA) support group intervention for older breast cancer survivors (Pink Warrior 2) during the COVID-19 pandemic. <h3>Design</h3> A pilot randomized controlled trial. <h3>Setting</h3> Home-based virtual intervention. <h3>Participants</h3> Physically inactive breast cancer survivors aged ≥ 55 years. <h3>Interventions</h3> Pink Warrior 2 was a virtual PA intervention that included 13-weekly AVG sessions, a Fitbit for self-monitoring, and behavioral coaching via videoconference. Participants in the control group participated in a weekly group phone discussion on cancer survivorship topics and wore a Mi band, an electronic activity monitor. Unlike Fitbit's mobile application (app), Mi band's app did not integrate behavioral change techniques (e.g., encouraging steps). <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Feasibility was assessed by enrollment rate (≥50%), retention rate (≥80%), group attendance rate (≥10 sessions for intervention), percentage of completed assessments (questionnaires and virtual assessments), number of technological issues and adverse events. <h3>Results</h3> The recruitment rate was 34%. Twenty-seven participants were enrolled, and 20 were randomized into intervention or control groups. The final participant retention rate was 90%. The adherence rate for group attendance was 88% for the intervention group and 82% for the control group. 85% of participants completed all the baseline questionnaires. 96% of virtual assessments were conducted successfully without adverse events. Internet connectivity issues impacted 2 out of 56 (4%) assessments. 14% of assessments were delayed due to Actigraph monitor-related issues or participants or their family members contracting COVID-19. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Session adherence, retention, virtual assessments, and the number of adverse events met benchmarks for feasibility. Recruitment and completion of paper-based questionnaires were limited by challenges related to COVID-19. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No known conflicts of interest.

Active Video Games Performance and Heart Rate on the Wii or Kinect in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Our objective was to compare changes in game performance and intensity of heart rate (HR) between two types of active video game (AVG) in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Additionally, we assessed the level of improvement per game as well as the perceived exertion and enjoyment during training. Seventy-six children, 36 with DCD and 40 without (TD) were randomly assigned to a 5-week program of Wii-Fit or Xbox-Kinect training 2× a week. The steepness of the performance curves was not different between consoles, nor between groups. Playing Kinect games resulted in higher HR in both groups. Wii and Kinect seem to be comparable AVG consoles that can be used for children with and without DCD, with the Kinect reaching a higher intensity of training.

Playing Action Video Games Affects Cognitive Ability

The great growth of the video game industry and the massive increase in the number of video game players has prompted extensive research into video games. The varied impacts of video games gaming on cognitive skills, primarily action video game, are reviewed in the article. Different studies were divided into three types: the speed of processing, perception, and attention, in order to explore the neural mechanism behind action video game play. Action video games' effects on users' cognitive abilities can be mainly divided into the impact on low-level sensory pathways and the impact on attention control. Although behavioral experiments have demonstrated superior perception abilities in action video game players, less evidence when it comes to electrophysiology and brain imaging for the same enhancement. Action Video games are widely proven to enhance top-down attention and working memory but have no significant effect on bottom-up attention.

The Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit on Postural Balance Control Training in the Geriatric Population: A Review.

Elderly populations who engage in consistent, moderate-intensity exercise are more physically active and have better health than elders who have a sedentary lifestyle. Ageing causes the quality and number of muscle fibres to decline, leaving them with less endurance and ability to effectively work in synchronization and less strength and stamina to support weight or keep a sound body system. Medical practitioners often use the word "balance" across many therapeutic disciplines. Balance is commonly used in conjunction with other ideas like stability and postural control. The capacity of the physiological systems to keep the centre of mass within the base of support during static and dynamic postures and to govern physical alignment in an upright position is known as "balance." Impaired balance has a wide range of effects that can harm physical functionality. Falls in the elderly can result in hip fractures and significant morbidity and mortality. Balance dysfunction is one of the primary reasons behind decreased mobility and postural control in the elderly. It mainly affects the ability to walk and to maintain balance control in everyday life. Virtual reality (VR) can be defined as an interaction model between humans and computers that allows conventional computer-based training. It is a novel and expanding technology combining various characteristics like interactivity, independence, and rehabilitation training. These technologies replicate a seemingly natural environment. A fun and engaging aspect of VR technology is the Wii Fit games. These are enjoyable versions of the fundamental exercise and are widely used. A physiotherapy intervention programme can be structured using Wii Fit games to perform balance exercises. These games are widely used for balance training in the geriatric population.

Neurocognitive analyses reveal that video game players exhibit enhanced implicit temporal processing

Winning in action video games requires to predict timed events in order to react fast enough. In these games, repeated waiting for enemies may help to develop implicit (incidental) preparation mechanisms. We compared action video game players and non-video game players in a reaction time task involving both implicit time preparations and explicit (conscious) temporal attention cues. Participants were immersed in virtual reality and instructed to respond to a visual target appearing at variable delays after a warning signal. In half of the trials, an explicit cue indicated when the target would occur after the warning signal. Behavioral, oculomotor and EEG data consistently indicate that, compared with non-video game players, video game players better prepare in time using implicit mechanisms. This sheds light on the neglected role of implicit timing and related electrophysiological mechanisms in gaming research. The results further suggest that game-based interventions may help remediate implicit timing disorders found in psychiatric populations.

Effect of an augmented reality active video game for gait training in children with cerebral palsy following single-event multilevel surgery: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionIn paediatric rehabilitation, fun and motivation are also critical keys to successful therapy. A variety of interventions have shown positive effects, high level of interest, compliance and engagement with active...