Active Video Games Versus Traditional Exercises: Energy Expenditure and Blood Lactate Responses

Acute effects of exergaming on young adults' energy expenditure, enjoyment, and self-efficacy

This study investigated the effects of a dance-based exergaming on Chinese college students' energy expenditure, self-efficacy, and enjoyment in comparison with the traditional aerobic dance exercise. Forty young adults (33 females; Mage = 21.55 years, SD = 2.06) completed two separate 20 min exercise sessions with 10 min intervals on the same day: (1) Xbox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergaming session; and (2) a traditional instructor-led aerobic dance exercise session. Participants' energy expenditure (Kcal/session) was measured by the ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometers, and their perceived self-efficacy and enjoyment were assessed via validated surveys following each session. Dependent t-test indicated significant differences in participants' enjoyment (t = -1.83, p = 0.04). Specifically, participants in the dance-based exergaming session reported a higher level of enjoyment (M = 3.96, SD = 0.65) as compared to the aerobic dance session (M = 3.61, SD = 0.54). However, there was no significant difference in energy expenditure and self-efficacy between the two sessions. Findings suggest that college students had comparable energy expenditure as the traditional aerobic dance session while experiencing more fun and enjoyment. This suggests that exergaming can be a fun exercise alternative for promoting physical activity among young adults.

Measured and Perceived Exercise Intensity During the Performance of Single-Task, Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task, and Exergame Training: Transversal Study

BACKGROUND

The physical and cognitive loads borne during exergaming may differ from more conventional cognitive-motor dual-task trainings.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot transversal study was to compare objectively measured and perceived exercise intensity during exergame, cognitive-motor dual-task, and single-task training sessions.

METHODS

We recruited apparently healthy young adults who carried out one session of each type of training: exergaming, cognitive-motor dual-tasking, and single-tasking. We used a custom-made exergame as support. The sessions lasted 30 minutes, were spaced at least 24 hours apart, and took place in random order for each group of 4 participants. We used heart rates to assess exercise intensity and the modified Borg scale to assess perception of intensity. In all, 16 apparently healthy young participants carried out all sessions.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the different types of training in mean heart rates (P=.27), peak heart rates (P=.50), or Borg scale scores (P=.40). Our custom-made exergame's objectively measured and perceived physical load did not differ between cognitive-motor dual-task and single-task training.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result, our exergame can be considered to be as challenging as more traditional physical training. Future studies should be conducted in older adults with or without cognitive impairments and incorporate an assessment of cognitive performance.

Large Estimate Variations in Assessed Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity Levels during Active Virtual Reality Gaming: A Short Report

The purpose of the study was to compare methods for estimating energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA) intensity during a 30 min session of active virtual reality (VR) gaming. Eight individuals (age = 25.4 ± 2.0 yrs) participated, with a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) of 41.3 ± 5.7 mL∙kg−1∙min−1. All tests were conducted over two days. An incremental test to determine the VO2max when running was performed on day 1, while 30 min of active VR gaming was performed on day 2. The instruments used for EE estimations and PA measurements were indirect calorimetry, a heart rate (HR) monitor, and waist- and wrist-worn accelerometer. Compared to indirect calorimetry, waist-worn accelerometers underestimated EE (mean difference: −157.3 ± 55.9 kcal, p < 0.01) and PA levels. HR-based equations overestimated EE (mean difference: 114.8 ± 39.0 kcal, p < 0.01 and mean difference: 141.0 ± 81.6 kcal, p < 0.01). The wrist-worn accelerometer was the most accurate in estimating EE (mean difference: 23.9 ± 45.4 kcal, p = 0.95). The large variations in EE have implications for population-based surveillance of PA levels and for clinical studies using active VR gaming.

Brief report: Caregiver perceived physical activity preferences of adults with Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

Adults with Down syndrome commonly have low levels of physical activity and face social barriers to engaging in physical activity, including boredom and companionship concerns. Adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk for several co-occurring medial conditions known to benefit from physical activity, including obesity and dementia.

METHOD

This study surveyed 140 caregivers of adults with Down syndrome to determine the physical activity preferences of their adult with Down syndrome.

RESULTS

Dancing was the most frequently caregiver-reported physical activity preference for adults with Down syndrome, followed by walking and active video gaming. Rowing, using an elliptical machine, and jogging were the least preferred activities. Most caregivers reported that their adult with Down syndrome has a companion available for physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Promoting dance in adults with Down syndrome, a caregiver-reported preferred form of physical activity, may help improve physical activity levels and decrease sedentary behaviours in this population.

Using Kinect body joint detection system to predict energy expenditures during physical activities

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of Kinect body joint detection to facilitate the calculation of energy expenditure during exergame exercises. Two Kinect-based biomechanical models - mechanical energy (KineticE) and work (WorkE) were employed to estimate the energy expenditure during four Wii™ exergame session. Consequently, two stepwise regression models were developed from nineteen participants' data and then validated by five holdout participants. The data collected using an accelerometer (r = 0.835, p < 0.001) had the highest correlation as compared to that of the WorkE (r = 0.805, p < 0.001) and KineticE (r = 0.466, p < 0.001) correlations with the reference indirect calorimetry using Quark activity energy expenditure (QuarkAEE). The regression results show that KineticE and the weight of the participant were significant factors for mechanical energy prediction (AEEKinetic). However, according to the work prediction equation (AEEWork), only WorkE was significant. The new energy prediction models showed significant agreement with the standard QuarkAEE (AEEKinect, r = 0.641, p = 0.02; AEEWork, r = 0.793, p < 0.001), and they were comparable to accelerometer predictions (r = 0.682, p = 0.001). The findings indicate that Kinect can be a potentially viable alternative to measure energy expenditures. The models can be applied with higher accuracy, especially when the activity demands high body movements.

Can Physical Activity in Immersive Virtual Reality Be Attractive and Have Sufficient Intensity to Meet Health Recommendations for Obese Children? A Pilot Study

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a technology that blurs the line between the physical world and a digital environment. Using appropriate pointing devices, it is possible to engage in physical activity (PA). The main aim of the study was to assess the attractiveness and intensity of physical exercise while playing active video games (AVGs) in IVR on an omnidirectional treadmill by obese children and to present the results compared to health recommendations (PA). It was also assessed whether the AVGs storyline can effectively motivate the participants to undertake locomotor activity by increasing the intensity of their effort (moving in a limited space vs. having to follow a set route). Eleven children aged 8 to 12 years with diagnosed obesity participated in the experiment. The attractiveness of PA was assessed with a questionnaire, while the intensity of exercise was estimated on the basis of heart rate. The answers show that AVGs are attractive and more enjoyable for the respondents than conventional video games. All participants declared their willingness to practice this form of PA. The intensity of PA of obese children during two games was high but during the game where the player was supposed to follow a set route, it was significantly higher (83.3 ± 9.2% HRmax) than during the game whose storyline assumed moving in a limited space (77.4 ± 9.8% HRmax). Due to the high intensity of PA while playing the AVGs studied, it can be assumed that obese children can benefit for their health if the games are used on a regular basis. However, further research is needed to verify this thesis.