Active video games for health promotion: from METs evaluation to physcial intervention in young adults

Background:Although promoted for weight loss, especially in young adults, it has yet to be determined if the physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and intensity of the newest active video games (AVGs) qualifies as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; > 3.0 METs). This study compared the PAEE and intensity of AVGs to traditional seated video games (SVGs).Methods:Fifty-three young adults (18−35 y; 27 females) volunteered to play 6 video games (4 AVGs, 2 SVGs). Anthropometrics and resting metabolism were measured before testing. While playing the games (6−10 min) in random order against a playmate, the participants wore a portable metabolic analyzer for measuring PAEE (kcal/min) and intensity (METs). A repeated-measures ANOVA compared the PAEE and intensity across games with sex, BMI, and PA status as main effects.Results:The intensity of AVGs (6.1 ± 0.2 METs) was significantly greater than SVGs (1.8 ± 0.1 METs). AVGs elicited greater PAEE than SVGs in all participants (5.3 ± 0.2 vs 0.8 ± 0.0 kcal/min); PAEE during the AVGs was greater in males and overweight participants compared with females and healthy weight participants (p’s < .05).Conclusions:The newest AVGs do qualify as MVPA and can contribute to the recommended dose of MVPA for weight management in young adults.

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The Physical Activity Energy Cost of the Latest Active Video Games in Young Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.12.2.171 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 171-177

Author(s):

Cheryl A. Howe ◽

Marcus W. Barr ◽

Brett C. Winner ◽

Jenelynn R. Kimble ◽

Jason B. White

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Video Games ◽

Energy Cost ◽

Active Video Games ◽

Active Video ◽

Activity Energy

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Active video games as a form of exercise and the effect of gaming experience: a preliminary study in healthy young adults

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2012.05.001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 205-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

C. O’Donovan ◽

J. Hussey

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Video Games ◽

Active Video Games ◽

Active Video ◽

Preliminary Study

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Active Video Games for Improving Mental Health and Physical Fitness—An Alternative for Children and Adolescents during Social Isolation: An Overview

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041641 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1641 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Isis Kelly dos Santos ◽

Rafaela Catherine da Silva Cunha de Medeiros ◽

Jason Azevedo de Medeiros ◽

Paulo Francisco de Almeida-Neto ◽

Dianne Cristina Souza de Sena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Active Video Games ◽

Moderate Quality ◽

Active Video

The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence on the effects of active video games (AVGs) on mental health, physical fitness and body composition of children and adolescents. A search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed; MEDLINE (by Ovid); SportDiscus, Cochrane library systematic reviews (CENTRAL) and EMBASE with no language restrictions during October 2020. Reviews on the use of AVGs were included in the study. We use the AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) scale to analyze the methodological quality of the studies. Seventeen systematic reviews and meta-analyzes were included on the effects of AVGs with 30 to 4728 children and adolescents of both sexes with ages ranging from 6 to 19 years. In five studies, the population was overweight or obese. Regarding the quality, 12 studies were of moderate quality, two had high quality, two had low quality and one showed very low quality. The analyzed data indicate that the use of AVGs with a frequency of 1 to 3 times a week with durations of between 10 and 90 min per day shows positive effects on mental health and physical functioning. There was moderate quality evidence that AVGs can result in benefits for self-esteem, increased energy expenditure, physical activity and reduced body mass index in children and adolescents who used AVGs in the home environment. Further research is needed on this tool to help in the process of social isolation and consequently in promoting health and well-being.

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Alternative Model for Physical Activity: Active Video Games Lead to High Physiological Responses

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport ◽

10.1080/02701367.2020.1864258 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Cihan Aygün ◽

Hayriye Çakir-Atabek

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Video Games ◽

Alternative Model ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Active Video Games ◽

Active Video

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Active Game-Based Solutions for the Treatment of Childhood Obesity

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21041266 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 1266

Author(s):

Carina S. González-González ◽

Nazaret Gómez del Río ◽

Pedro A. Toledo-Delgado ◽

Francisco José García-Peñalvo

Keyword(s):

Childhood Obesity ◽

Video Games ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Behavior Changes ◽

Active Video Games ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

Active Video ◽

Life Habits ◽

And Behavior

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems globally that, together with sedentarism, requires solutions that increase the enthusiasm towards physical activity. Therefore, this paper describes two solutions based on active games using the Kinect sensor and biometric sensors, designed for the outpatient treatment of childhood obesity. The solutions were applied in an intervention program based on active video games and motor games, developed with children in treatment for childhood obesity. An ad hoc questionnaire was used to assess the level of satisfaction, fun, learning, and behavior changes in the children of the experimental group that developed the intervention. The results showed a high index of satisfaction with the intervention program, as well as with the games developed. It is concluded that active video games and group games are highly motivating and can promote behavior change towards healthier life habits in children.

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