Sedentary Video Games Research Articles

The Effects of Exergames on Physical and Psychological Health in Young Adults.

Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of Kinect-based exergaming on physical (balance and reaction time) and psychosocial health factors (mental well-being and subjective happiness level) in young adults. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 men aged between 18 and 40, who play sedentary videogames at least once a week, were randomly divided into 2 groups to participate in either a Kinect-based exergame program (experimental group, n = 11) or to continue playing sedentary videogames without making any changes (control group, n = 11). The Kinect-based exergame program, including three exergames (Kinect Adventure: Reflex Ridge, Dance Central 3, Kinect Sports: Volleyball), was implemented with the experimental group for 5 weeks, three times a week, and 45 minutes per session. Balance and reaction time were assessed using SportKAT® 4000 Kinesthetic Ability Trainer and FitLight Trainer™ devices, respectively. To measure mental well-being and subjective happiness level, scales with proven psychometric qualities, whose validity and reliability studies were conducted, were used. Results: Results of the study showed statistically significant improvement for the experimental group on the measures of reaction time [t(10) = -4.69, P = 0.001], subjective happiness [t(10) = 8.94, P = 0.000], and mental well-being [t(10) = 4.62, P = 0.001]. In addition, the difference between the groups in reaction time [t(20) = 1.66, P = 0.01], right leg static balance [t(20) = -2.96, P = 0.008], mental well-being [t(20) = 2.77, P = 0.012], and subjective happiness levels (U = 0.50, P = 0.000) was found to be statistically significant in favor of the experimental group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Kinect-based exergaming positively supports adults' reaction time, mental well-being, and subjective happiness.

The influence of active video game play upon physical activity and screen-based activities in sedentary children.

BackgroundFew children meet physical activity recommendations, partly due to the prevalence of screen-based sedentary activities. Active video game (AVG) play produces light to moderate physical activity. Yet, providing children access to AVG does not increase physical activity, possibly because children who play AVG may also tend towards sedentary screen-based activities. How multiple days of AVG play influences children’s choice of other activities is not yet known.PurposeTo examine how AVG influences children’s physical activity, sedentary screen-based activities, and other alternative activities.MethodsSedentary children (N = 49) played AVG 3 times/week and sedentary video games (SVG) ad libitum for 6 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of ad libitum play of both AVG and SVG. Participants wore an activity monitor for 7 days and completed a 24-hour activity recall on 4 randomly selected days at baseline, week 6, and week 10.ResultsAVG play increased during the intervention (p < 0.01). Light activity and SVG play both decreased baseline to 10 weeks (p = 0.006) and 6 to 10 weeks (p = 0.017). Non-SVG sedentary behavior increased from baseline to 10 weeks (p = 0.005) and 6 to 10 weeks (p = 0.007). Changes over time were not observed in physical activity, or recall-measured active play, social activities, other hobbies, television or computer/phone use.ConclusionAVG play did not change children’s objectively-measured physical activity or subjectively measured active play. SVG time was substituted with other sedentary behaviors. AVG did not increase time engaged in SVG or screen-based devices.

Gaming for better health? Comparison of cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic responses of exergaming with moderate endurance exercise

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Exergames are interactive video games that require the player to move their body to progress through the game. Even though numerous studies have determined a higher exercise intensity in exergames compared to sedentary videogames, the literature remains equivocal as to whether exergames elicit intensity levels that result in relevant physiological responses. The aim of the present study was to assess whether an exergaming session (ES) in an innovative exergame represents a physiological relevant exercise stimulus capable of producing favorable hemodynamic responses similar to moderate endurance exercise (MEE). Therefore, cardiovascular responses during and after an ES and an ET were assessed and compared. Methods Twenty-seven healthy young adults aged 25±4 years (48% female; BMI 23.0±2.1 kg/m2) participated in the study. The Maximum heart rate (HRmax) and the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) were determined during a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill. Furthermore, participants completed both a typical MEE (35 minutes, 65% of HRmax) on a treadmill and an ES (28 minutes). Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption were recorded during both training sessions. Both before and during the 45 minutes after the training sessions, the peripheral and central blood pressure (BP) were assessed. Results HR and oxygen consumption were significantly higher during ES than during MEE (p&amp;lt;0.001). Throughout the ES, the participants achieved a mean HR of 86±4 % of HRmax. Mean oxygen consumption reached 66±5 % of VO2max. 45 Minutes after the ES, there was a significant decrease in peripheral systolic (-6.2±2.9 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.001) and diastolic (-4.8±5.7 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.001), as well as in central systolic (-4.9±5.4 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.001) and diastolic (-4.8±5.2 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.001) BP compared to baseline. After MEE, only the peripheral diastolic (-2.3±3.4 mmHg; p=0.003), and central diastolic (-2.2±3.8 mmHg; p=0.006) pressure were significantly lower than the resting values before the exercise. The interaction effects showed significant differences in peripheral and central systolic BP as well as in peripheral diastolic BP (p=0.05). Conclusion The ES represents a vigorous exercise stimulus that triggers relevant peripheral and central BP reactions that are more pronounced than after an MEE. Exergaming may therefore be a promising tool for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The Effects of Xbox Kinect Active Video Gaming on Executive Function, Inhibition, in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sedentary video gaming (SVG), active video gaming (AVG), and brisk walking (WLK) on inhibition and reaction time using the Flanker task in boys with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We had 9 participants with ASD and 10 age-matched participants without ASD perform 20-minute bouts of each activity, and then had them take the Flanker test. Dependent measures were reaction time (RT) and accuracy (ACC). A Chi-Square analysis revealed that the ASD and TD groups significantly differed in the percent of participants who improved in both of these measures. Next, we looked at each of the conditions exclusively within the ASD group and compared congruent and incongruent trials. In the AVG condition, participants improved a significantly higher percentage on ACC. In the SVG condition, participants improved a significantly higher percentage on incongruent in RT; for ACC, a higher percentage improved on the congruent trials. In WLK, participants improved a significantly higher percentage in RT in the congruent condition.

Effects of Videogaming on the Physical, Mental Health, and Cognitive Function of People with Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Videogames have been applied to improve health-related outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). For this purpose, it seems necessary to make available the best scientific information concerning the feasibility and potential benefits of playing videogames within this population. This study aimed to systematically review the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of videogaming on the physical and mental health of people with ID. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus up to June 2020. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to rate the methodological quality of the included investigations. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. Data synthesis examined physical health, including anthropometrics, physical fitness, and motor skills, and mental health and cognitive function. Intervention protocols were based on videogames of different nature (i.e., exergames and computerized cognitive training) and showed substantial heterogeneity in duration. Session length varied from 15 to 60 minutes. Five studies achieved a high intervention adherence rate, whereas a low drop-out rate was reported in eight RCTs. Videogaming is a useful therapy for improving physical and cognitive function in people with ID. Exergaming seems to be an interesting physical intervention for increasing fitness and motor skill levels, while sedentary videogaming has shown potential for stimulating cognitive function. Further research to analyze its feasibility and its impact on body composition and mental health is needed.

To play or not to play? The relationship between active video game play and electrophysiological indices of food-related inhibitory control in adolescents.

Sedentary behaviors, such as computer use and sedentary video games, are barriers to physical activity, contribute to overweight and obesity among adolescents, and can adversely affect eating behaviors. Active video games may increase daily physical activity levels among adolescents and improve food-related inhibitory control. We compared the effects of acute bouts of active and sedentary video gaming on event-related potential (ERP) indices of food-related inhibitory control, energy expenditure, and ad libitum eating. In a within-subjects design, 59 adolescent participants (49% female, Mage =13.29±1.15) completed two separate counterbalanced, 60-min long video gaming sessions separated by seven days. Immediately after, participants completed two go/no-go tasks with high- and low-calorie images and N2 and P3 ERP amplitudes were measured. Participants also completed a Stroop task and were given high- and low-calorie snacks to consume ad libitum. Results indicated that active relative to sedentary video games significantly increased energy expenditure on multiple measures (e.g., METs, heart rate, kcals burned) and participants consumed more calories after the active compared to the sedentary video game session. N2 amplitudes were larger when participants inhibited to high- compared to low-calorie foods, suggesting that high-calorie foods necessitate increased the recruitment of inhibitory control resources; however, there were non-significant differences for the N2 or P3 amplitudes, accuracy or response times, and Stroop performance between active versus sedentary video game sessions. Overall, sixty minutes of active video gaming increased energy expenditure and food consumption but did not significantly alter neural or behavioral measures of inhibitory control to food stimuli.

Effect Of Adapting Sedentary Video Games To Facilitate Physical Activity On Exercise Intensity

PURPOSE: To determine if adapting a sedentary video game’s controls to involve total body movements can elicit an exercise intensity consistent with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. METHODS: Thirty adults, 19 to 55 years of age, visited our exercise lab twice. During each visit, the participants played a sedentary video game in three randomized conditions: 1) sitting, using a hand-held controller (Controller), 2) standing, reaching and jumping in front of a motion sensor (Sensor), and 3) standing, moving and reaching for buttons with their hands and feet (Button). Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) using the Borg 6 to 20 scale were assessed throughout each condition. We hypothesized that mean relative VO2 would be 3 to 6 metabolic equivalents (METs), mean heart rate would be 50% to 80% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (%HRmax), and RPE would be 12 (somewhat hard) to 15 (very hard) in the Sensor and Button conditions. Further, METs, %HRmax, and RPE would be lower in the Controller condition than in Sensor and Button conditions. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis was used to compare within-participant differences in METs, %HRmax, and RPE across the two visits and three conditions. Chi-square analysis was used to determine if a significant proportion of participants achieved moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the Sensor and Button conditions. RESULTS: All measures were less during the Controller condition (0.99±0.09 METs, 39±6%HRmax, 7±1 RPE) compared to the Sensor (3.52±0.58 METs, 59±10%HRmax, 13±2 RPE, p<0.01) and Button (4.02±0.61 METs, 62±12%HRmax, 14±2 RPE, p<0.01) conditions. There was no difference between visits (p>0.32). For the 30 participants, 83% and 100%, respectively, sustained MET levels of 3 to 6 during the Sensor and Button conditions (p<0.01). Similar results were found for %HRmax and RPE (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Sustained moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was achieved by adapting sedentary video game controls to require total body movements. Future studies should consider adapting video game controls to increase exercise enjoyment, adherence and intensity.

Active Videogames to Promote Traditional Active Play: Increasing the Reinforcing Value of Active Play Among Low-Active Children.

Background: Exercise reinforcement predicts physical activity of children. Repeated exposures of physical activity may increase physical activity reinforcement (incentive sensitization). Active videogame (AVG) play produces light-to-moderate-intensity physical activity. Ideally, AVG play would transition to nonscreen-based active play through incentive sensitization of traditional active play (TAP), providing AVG does not increase sedentary videogame (SVG) reinforcement. Greater autonomy increases motivation toward traditional physical activity, but whether autonomy enhances incentive sensitization has not been studied. Objectives: To determine whether autonomy over AVG play promotes incentive sensitization of TAP or SVG. Methods: Inactive children (ages 8-12; 5th-97th body mass index percentile) were provided with AVG and SVG for 6 weeks and assigned to either a high autonomy (n = 25) or low autonomy (n = 24) group, differentiated by AVG choice and more freedom over amount of play. Both groups played AVG 3 days per week. SVG were played ad libitum. Participants completed an operant responding task to measure the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of AVG versus SVG (RRVAVG vs. SVG) and AVG versus TAP (RRVAVG vs. TAP) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. Results: RRVAVG vs. SVG increased over time (P = 0.056) but did not differ by autonomy or autonomy × time (P = 0.184). RRVAVG vs. TAP decreased over time (P = 0.033) but did not differ by autonomy or autonomy × time (P = 0.73). Conclusion: AVG play does not increase motivation toward SVG and increases motivation to play AVG relative to TAP. Providing higher autonomy did not promote incentive sensitization of play.

ARE ACTIVE VIDEO GAMES EFFECTIVE IN ELICITING AT LEAST MODERATE INTENSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN AND DO CHILDREN ENJOY PLAYING THEM?

Despite current physical activity (PA) guidelines, children spend an average of 1-3 hours/day playing video games. Most video games are associated with sedentary behaviour, but some support physical interaction through motion sensing input devices. This technology has allowed the development of active video games (AVG) that involve dancing, fighting, playing sports or exercising and require the players to physically move their body in order to play. We wanted to investigate if popular AVGs can elicit at least moderate PA in children. We also wanted to determine what aspects of their favorite video games children find enjoyable and compare this to the AVGs used in the study in an effort to improve future AVG design. We reviewed 80 AVGs and selected Kung Fu (KF) and Dance Central (DC) for the Microsoft Kinect on the Xbox One as they were the most entertaining and elicited the most PA. Subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, peak heart rate (HR) and HR at anaerobic threshold ([email protected]) were obtained. Subjects were asked to play these games for 30 to 40 minutes each while their HR was monitored. Game Engagement Questionnaires (GenQ) were used to evaluate the AVGs and the participants favorite video game. Twenty healthy children aged 8 to 16 (mean 11.8 ± 2.5, 12 male) were enrolled in the study. Participants reported playing video games for 2 hours/day on average and the majority preferred video games over outdoor PA. The median [email protected] was determined to be 68% (IQR 65-74%) of the measured peak HR and corresponds well to reported moderate PA intensity levels (50-70% of HRmax=220-age). The proportion of time during game play that participants HR was above the HR thresholds for moderate and vigorous exercise was determined (Table 1). DC and KF produced at least moderate PA for a median of 67% (IQR 28-76%) and 95% (IQR 92-97%) of gameplay time, respectively. While participants enjoyed these AVGs, they still preferred their favorite games (GenQ score of 1.82 ± 0.67 vs. 0.95 ± 0.70 (DC) and 1.39 ± 0.37 (KF)). While outdoor PA is preferable, the reality is that children prefer playing mostly sedentary video games. Well-designed AVGs can provide moderate to vigorous PA and are enjoyable to play. However, interest in any particular video game is fleeting. To address this, the gaming industry needs to be socially responsible and incorporate enjoyable PA components into their video games and the government should support this.

A digital movement in the world of inactive children: favourable outcomes of playing active video games in a pilot randomized trial.

This parallel randomized controlled trial was aimed to evaluate whether parameters as physical fitness, reaction times, self-perception and enjoyment levels, as well as parental and children perspectives, were affected by active video games in inactive and technologically preoccupied children. Data were collected in a laboratory setting from four randomly selected urban public schools. All 1300 children in grades 3-6 were surveyed for the study. Among the 918 responders, 106 children were determined to be inactive and preoccupied with technology. Children in 3 schools (n = 53) allocated to active video game and in one school (n = 53) allocated to control group were compared by univariate covariance analyses for primary outcomes such as weight, body mass index and fat ratios at the end of 12weeks. Active video game group significantly showed favourable responses for weight, body mass index and corresponding z scores as well as reaction times and self-perception controlling for age and baseline scores. In addition, enjoyment of the children in the game group by qualitative analysis was high indicating a motivational aspect for the continuation of the games. Diverse contributions of games to physical, social, intellectual and personal development were revealed.Conclusion: Active video games by promoting enjoyment levels and physical activity, as well as contributing to agility, alertness, socializing, and striving, led to a reduction in weight gain. They may be used as beneficial tools diverting children from inactivity and subsequent obesity.Trial registration: This study called AVGAME is registered with the number NCT03720938 in Clinicaltrials.gov . The trial protocol can also be retrieved from the archives of Abant Izzet Baysal University. What is Known: • Nowadays, children prefer sedentary video games that are known to induce weight gain and obesity-related comorbidities. • Active video games were shown to decrease weight in overweight and obese children. What is New: • Active video games decrease weight increment and reaction times, thus could be used to prevent obesity in inactive non-obese children. • Active video games raise self-esteem, induce enjoyment, improve the personal and intellectual development of children in addition to socializing and is a safe alternative to indoor sedentary video games.

Active Gaming Prevalence and Correlates by Type of Day in Spanish Youth.

Active gaming has emerged as a new option to foster physical activity in youth. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of active gaming in adolescents, to determine differences between active and nonactive gamers by type of day, and to examine predictors of being an active gamer. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 3095 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who self-reported their involvement in moderate to vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and active gaming. Those engaging in active gaming for at least 10 minutes per day were considered active gamers. Student's 2-tailed t tests, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression were performed. About 25.9% of the adolescents were active gamers. They were younger, had higher body mass index, and spent more time on moderate to vigorous physical activity, television viewing, and sedentary video games with computer/console than nonactive gamers. There were more active gamers on weekends than on weekdays. On weekdays, more males than females were active gamers. Adolescents who did not meet sleep time guidelines were more likely to be active gamers on weekdays, whereas on weekends, being a girl, overweight/obese, and having a high socioeconomic status were predictors of being an active gamer. Because active gaming may contribute to meeting physical activity guidelines, the present findings could enable better targeting of physical activity promotion programs.

Lessons learned during formative phase development of an asynchronous, active video game intervention: Making sedentary fantasy sports active

ObjectivesActive fantasy sports is a type of active video game (AVG) developed using principles from self-determination theory and the trans-contextual motivation model. The game leverages elements of a popular, previously sedentary game -- traditional fantasy sports -- but incorporates and encourages physical activity (PA) of participants ("fantasy team owners"). Early proof-of-concept stage research demonstrated potential for active fantasy sports to increase PA in adults (Moller et al., 2014). However, more formative research identifying factors that influence enjoyment of active fantasy sports and PA goal achievement could improve efficacy and inform the development of alternative AVGs. DesignThree active fantasy sports leagues were organized and data from the three leagues were combined to examine intervention and social factors that predicted enjoyment and PA goal achievement. MethodParticipants (N = 33, 15.2% female, M-Age = 34.0 years) wore an accelerometer to track PA and completed self-report measures about their experience upon league conclusion (league duration ranged from 16 to 17 weeks). ResultsFindings revealed that average steps significantly increased during the first six weeks of the intervention and then significantly decreased during subsequent weeks. Frequency of checking the league website was associated with greater PA goal achievement. Greater frequency of checking the accelerometer website and the league website were also associated with greater league enjoyment. ConclusionsPromoting greater frequency of using the league and accelerometer websites is important to achieving greater impact on PA and league enjoyment through active fantasy sports. Future studies of active fantasy sports leagues could use randomized controlled trial and multiphase optimization strategy designs to vary game components in order to test which components sustain intrinsic motivation and increase PA. Lessons may be further applied to the development of other AVGs, especially those that build on established and popular sedentary video games.

Energy demand in an active videogame session and the potential to promote hypotension after exercise in hypertensive women.

The aim of this study was to determine the energy demand of one session of active video game (AVG) and its potential to reduce blood pressure (BP). Fourteen hypertensive (56.4±7.5 years) individuals performed sessions of AVG, a traditional sedentary video game sessions (SVG) and walking (WAL), as negative and positive controls, in a randomly determined order. Oxygen consumption and energy expenditure (EE) were measured during sessions. BP and cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) were measured at rest and every 15 minutes of a 60-minute period of recovery from activities. A rating of enjoyment scale was also applied. AVG and WAL resulted in higher oxygen consumption (10.0±0.5 ml/kg/min and 16.6±3.1 ml/kg/min, respectively) and EE (3.5±0.2 kcal/min and 4.2±0.5 kcal/min) compared to 4.1±0.8 ml/kg/min and 1.4±0.1 kcal/min in SVG. A reduction in systolic and diastolic BP was evident following AVG sessions (-11.6±2.5 mmHg and -8.7±2.5 mmHg) and WAL (-10.8±2.8 mmHg and -8.6±2.3 mmHg) compared to pre-experiment value, and the same did not occur in SVG. All sessions promoted a feeling of enjoyment, with no difference between them. The parasympathetic activity was significantly lower at 30 and 45 minutes in post-WAL recovery (34.6±15.0 ms2 and 34.4±16.0 ms2) in the frequency domain (HF) in relation to both AVG (195.5±67.0 ms2 and 164.5±55.0 ms2) and the SVG (158.9±45.0 and 281.3±98.0 ms2). It is concluded that an AVG session promotes increased metabolic activity and is able to promote acute reduction of BP in hypertensive individuals similar to traditional walking exercise.

Narrative and active video game in separate and additive effects of physical activity and cognitive function among young adults.

Physically active video games (AVGs) have been found to positively impact physical activity behaviors, especially when a narrative is added. However, the motivational and cognitive benefits of adding narrative to AVG are unclear. We examined the separate and additive effects of narrative and AVG on physical activity and cognitive function versus an active comparator, such as a sedentary video game (SVG). We randomly assigned young adults to one of four groups (narrative-AVG, AVG, narrative-SVG, or SVG) and had them complete sustained attention and working memory tasks before and after a 30-min experimental condition. Participants in both narrative-AVG and AVG groups achieved a moderate-intensity physical activity, while adding narrative to AVG resulted in higher step counts and more time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than AVG without narrative. Regardless of the narrative effect, participants in both AVG groups performed better on overall working memory than both SVG groups, while both AVG and SVG groups similarly achieved maximal performance in sustained attention. Working memory enhancement was positively correlated with increased heart rate. Participants in narrative-SVG group had a better response accuracy in working memory than those who played SVG without narrative. Taken together, adding narrative to AVG as a motivational component increased physical activity, which was the primary factor in the improvement of overall working memory.

The Effect Of Goal Structure On Vo2 And Motivation In 6-10 Year Old Children During Exergame Play

Previous research has examined contexts which may promote playing physically interactive video games (exergames) in place of traditional, sedentary video games in children. In one such study the presence of a friend did not increase children’s motivation to play an exergame versus a sedentary alternative. This lack of an effect may have been due to the competitive goal structure of the exergame studied. Children may prefer a cooperative game structure when playing with a friend. PURPOSE: To examine physiologic response and relative reinforcing value (RRV, i.e., motivation) for playing an exergame with a friend under two different goal structures: competitive and cooperative. METHODS: Participants (N = 7, 7.9 ± 1.5 years old) and a same-sex friend each completed three, 10-minute conditions: supine rest, competitive, and cooperative game play. During competitive game play, participants played Nintendo Wii Tennis against their friend. During the cooperative condition, subjects and their friend played together against a computer avatar. During each 10 minute session oxygen consumption (VO ml[BULLET OPERATOR]kg-1[BULLET OPERATOR]min-1) was recorded and children reported their liking, via visual analog scale, for that condition. After completing all three conditions, children completed an RRV computer task to assess their motivation to play the competitive versus cooperative goal structures. During the task children performed work (button presses) to gain access to competitive play, cooperative play or a combination of the two. The output maximum (Omax) or maximum amount of work (presses) for each goal structure was used as the measure of RRV. RESULTS: VO2 was significantly (p ≤ 0.009) greater for cooperative (8.88 ± 3.29 ml[BULLET OPERATOR]kg-1[BULLET OPERATOR]min-1) and competitive (10.24 ± 3.24 ml[BULLET OPERATOR]kg-1[BULLET OPERATOR]min-1) game play than the resting condition (5.75 ± 1.59ml[BULLET OPERATOR]kg-1[BULLET OPERATOR]min-1). Liking was also significantly (p ≤ 0.004) greater for cooperative (8.92 ± 2.03 cm) and competitive (8.59 ± 2.39 cm) game play than rest (3.07 ± 2.59 cm). There were no differences (p > 0.05) between cooperative and competitive game play for: VO2, liking, or Omax. CONCLUSION: In children, VO2 and liking were both greater during exergame play versus the resting condition. However, motivation to play the competitive and cooperative game structures was not significantly different.

Adapting Sedentary Video Games to Require Physical Activity

Approximately $117 billion in annual healthcare costs are associated with physical inactivity. The Pew Research Center reports that about 49% of American adults play video games (VG). Adapting traditionally sedentary VG controls to require physical activity using low-cost devices may increase opportunities to adhere to physical activity guidelines. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of adapting sedentary VG to require physical activity on exercise intensity, perceived exertion, enjoyment, and VG performance. METHODS: Six women and nine men 19 to 52 years of age played PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX+ (NAMCO) in three conditions: sedentary play (SED), standing active play using gestures recognized by a motion sensor (AVG-G), and standing active play using buttons (AVG-B). Each participant started with SED and the two adapted conditions were counterbalanced. Exercise intensity was assessed by recording continuous heart rate using a chest strap monitor. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were reported using the Borg 6 to 20 scale. Enjoyment was reported using an abbreviated Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. VG performance was represented by the in-game score. Repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to compare heart rate, RPE, enjoyment, and VG performance across conditions. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of game condition on heart rate, percent of age predicted heart rate maximum (APHRM), RPE, and VG performance (p < 0.001). Enjoyment was not significantly different across conditions (p = 0.216). Post hoc analysis indicated that AVG-G and AVG-B elicited a higher mean (±SD) heart rate (108±16 and 97±15 BPM), percent of APHRM (58±10 and 51±9%), and RPE (13±2 and 12±2) versus SED (72±13 BPM, 39±8% APHRM, 7±1 RPE). Participant VG performance was lower during AVG-G and AVG-B (51.75±28.07 and 68.84±35.52 arbitrary units) versus SED (202.11±91.08 arbitrary units). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the majority of participants achieved and sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity during adapted sedentary VG for at least 10 minutes. Enjoyment did not suffer as a result of active play despite lower VG performance.

A single session of active video game play promotes post-exercise hypotension in hypertensive middle-aged subjects

PurposeTo determine whether an active video game session promoted post-exercise hypotension, similar to walking.MethodsFifteen hypertensive subjects (49.0 ± 1.6 years) of both genders performed five randomized sessions, lasting 60 minutes: 1) active video game; 2) sedentary video game; 3) walking on a treadmill with moderate intensity; 4) walking on a treadmill with similar intensity to the active video game; and 5) control without exercise. Blood pressure and cardiac autonomic modulation measurements were taken at rest and every 10 minutes post exercise for 60 minutes.ResultsThe active video game promoted a reduction in systolic blood pressure (-14.4 ± 3.0 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001) similar to walking on a treadmill with moderate intensity (-16.9 ± 3.3 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001), whereas the control group without exercise did not demonstrate a blood pressure reduction. The sedentary video game also demonstrated a reduction in systolic blood pressure (-10.0 ± 3.1 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0039), statistically similar to the active video game and walking on a treadmill with similar intensity to the active video game (8.7 ± 2.9 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0034). Regarding the diastolic component, the active video game (-7.6 ± 1.5 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001), walking on a treadmill with moderate intensity (-8.3 ± 2.9 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0042), and the sedentary video game (-7.5 ± 2.7 mmHg, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0098) produced similar reductions in diastolic blood pressure. The active video game was a procedure that promoted a sympathetic-vagal balance reduction from pre-exercise to 60 minutes post exercise (4.2 ± 0.8 to 2.3 ± 0.5, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.0486).ConclusionsActive video game play promoted a similar reduction in blood pressure compared to traditional walking exercise with the advantage of promoting reduction in the sympathetic inflow to the heart.

Cognitive, not physical, engagement in video gaming influences executive functioning

ABSTRACTPhysically active video games (i.e., exergames), which are a prevalent and popular childhood activity, may have benefits to executive-functioning (EF) skills, as they incorporate both cognitive engagement and physical activity. Acute EF change in 147 7- to 12-year-olds was assessed after participation in a 20-min activity. The between-subjects design had 4 conditions: exergame, sedentary video game, exercise, and nonplaying control. The varied level of physical and cognitive engagement examined whether the nature of the activity, such as physical movement or cognitive engagement in an enjoyable activity, differentially related to changes in different aspects of EF. Participants in the cognitively engaging conditions (i.e., the 2 video game conditions) improved their accuracy on the most complex EF test and their reaction time on the standard EF test more than participants in the other conditions. These findings suggest that the kind of cognitive engagement involved in video game play is the mechanism of acute effects on EF.

Energy expenditure and perceived exertion during active video games in relation to player mode and gender

Active video games (AVG) increase energy expenditure (EE) with respect to sedentary video games. Although several AVG consoles allow playing in single-player (SP) or multiplayer (MP) mode, few studies investigated differences in relation to game modality in men and women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate gender-related psycho-physiological responses during Zumba Fitness Rush (ZFR) played in SP vs. MP mode. Twenty-four college students (women: 14, men: 10; age: 24.6±2.0 years; body weight: 60.2±12.5 kg; body height: 167.8±11.5 cm; BMI: 21.2±2.1 kg·m-2) participated in two experimental sessions: SP (a subject playing ZFR alone) and MP (two subjects playing ZFR simultaneously). Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2) and EE (MET and kcal∙min-1) were continuously measured and averaged every 10 seconds, while Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was recorded 30 minutes after the end of each session. A two (gender: women vs. men) by two (modality: SP vs. MP) ANOVA for repeated measures was applied. No differences emerged in relation to gender and game mode for %HRmax, VO2, MET, and RPE. Conversely, a main effect (p=.0007) for gender was found in EE, with significantly (p&amp;lt;.004) higher values in men in SP (women: 5.5±0.6 kcal·min-1; men: 8.3±1.4 kcal·min-1) and MP (women: 5.3±0.7 kcal·min-1; men: 7.6±1.9 kcal·min-1). Present findings suggest that ZFR could be classified as a moderate physical activity, proving to be an alternative form to traditional exercise. Although an effect of number of players could be expected, different player modes did not affect EE, probably because the rhythm of the music imposes a time constraint, independently of the presence of other players.

Impact of a Pilot Videogame-Based Physical Activity Program on Walking Speed in Adults with Schizophrenia.

The purpose of this report is to describe the impact of a videogame-based physical activity program using the Kinect for Xbox 360 game system (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) on walking speed in adults with schizophrenia. In this randomized controlled trial, 28 participants played either an active videogame for 30min (intervention group) or played a sedentary videogame for 30min (control group), once a week for 6weeks. Walking speed was measured objectively with the Short Physical Performance Battery at enrollment and at the end of the 6-week program. The intervention group (n = 13) showed an average improvement in walking speed of 0.08m/s and the control group (n = 15) showed an average improvement in walking speed of 0.03m/s. Although the change in walking speed was not statistically significant, the intervention group had between a small and substantial clinically meaningful change. The results suggest a videogame based physical activity program provides clinically meaningful improvement in walking speed, an important indicator of health status.