New-Generation Active Videogaming Maintains Energy Expenditure in Children Across Repeated Bouts

Estimated Energy Expenditure in Youth While Playing Active Video Games: A Systematic Review

Sedentary behavior and inadequate energy expenditure are serious global public health concerns among youngsters. The exponential growth in technology emerges as a valuable opportunity to foster physical activity, particularly through active video games. We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus to provide a comprehensive view of the literature on energy expenditure levels among adolescents while playing active video games. Among the 574 manuscripts identified at the first screening stage, 23 were retained for analysis. Ten studies were characterized by longitudinal and thirteen by cross-sectional designs. The results showed that short-term active video games elicited energy expenditure values comparable to moderate-intensity physical activity (3-6 METs). However, in intervention programs (with at least six weeks) the results indicate no significant effects of active video games on youngsters' energy expenditure levels and physical activity profiles between baseline and follow-up assessments. Overall, active video games based on sports and dance were the most used, and boys tended to achieve higher energy expenditure than girls. The diversity of methods implemented limits comparing results and drawing generalized conclusions. However, considering its attractiveness to youth, active video games might emerge as a complementary tool to traditional physical activities promoted in schools and local communities. Details regarding gender differences and contradictory results of longitudinal approaches should be considered in future research based on standardized methods.

Active Videogaming in Youth with Physical Disability: Gameplay and Enjoyment

OBJECTIVE

For active videogaming (AVG) to be a meaningful, health-enhancing physical activity option for youth with physical disability, factors related to game performance and enjoyment must be understood. The objective was to explore associations between quality of gameplay, controller usage, heart rate (HR), physical function, and enjoyment during AVG play in youth with physical disability.

METHODS

Participants (5 girls, 11 boys, mean age 13.8 ± 2.7 years) played four AVGs on three platforms (Nintendo^® Wii™, Sony PlayStation3 Move, and Microsoft Xbox^® Kinect), across three sessions. Participants' primary means of mobility were manual (n = 13) and power (n = 3) wheelchairs; majority were diagnosed with cerebral palsy or spina bifida. Functional level was assessed using 17 International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health mobility items. Participants played each AVG for 8 minutes with a 5-minute rest. Quality of gameplay and ability to use controller were recorded on a five-point Likert scale. HR was recorded immediately following each game and participants completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). PACES scores were compared across games and correlations were examined among the variables.

RESULTS

PACES scores were significantly greater for Wii Punch-Out compared to Xbox Fitness, Sports Rivals, and Zumba, and for PS3 Sports Champions compared to Xbox Zumba. Higher HR was associated with higher quality of gameplay and a higher PACES score. As quality of gameplay increased, the PACES score increased.

CONCLUSION

Game performance and exercise intensity were positively correlated with AVG enjoyment in youth with physical disability, specifically mobility impairments. Further research is warranted to examine the capacity of AVG play to be an enjoyable health-enhancing activity for individuals with physical disability.

Development of a Kinect Software Tool to Classify Movements during Active Video Gaming

While it has been established that using full body motion to play active video games results in increased levels of energy expenditure, there is little information on the classification of human movement during active video game play in relationship to fundamental movement skills. The aim of this study was to validate software utilising Kinect sensor motion capture technology to recognise fundamental movement skills (FMS), during active video game play. Two human assessors rated jumping and side-stepping and these assessments were compared to the Kinect Action Recognition Tool (KART), to establish a level of agreement and determine the number of movements completed during five minutes of active video game play, for 43 children (m = 12 years 7 months ± 1 year 6 months). During five minutes of active video game play, inter-rater reliability, when examining the two human raters, was found to be higher for the jump (r = 0.94, p < .01) than the sidestep (r = 0.87, p < .01), although both were excellent. Excellent reliability was also found between human raters and the KART system for the jump (r = 0.84, p, .01) and moderate reliability for sidestep (r = 0.6983, p < .01) during game play, demonstrating that both humans and KART had higher agreement for jumps than sidesteps in the game play condition. The results of the study provide confidence that the Kinect sensor can be used to count the number of jumps and sidestep during five minutes of active video game play with a similar level of accuracy as human raters. However, in contrast to humans, the KART system required a fraction of the time to analyse and tabulate the results.

Energy Expenditure During Xbox Kinect Play in Early Adolescents: The Relationship with Player Mode and Game Enjoyment

OBJECTIVE

There has been growing interest in the use of active videogames to influence levels of physical activity. Most studies have investigated energy expenditure in general, without taking into account moderating factors such as player mode and game enjoyment. This study therefore examines whether children's energy expenditure and game enjoyment are higher when games are played in a two-player mode than in a single-player mode.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-three children from the 7th grade who exhibited an inactive lifestyle engaged in six sports exergames on an Xbox(®) Kinect(®) (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) console. The player mode (single-player or two-player mode) was manipulated (within-subjects design). The primary parameters were "energy expenditure," which was measured with a SenseWear(®) device (Bodymedia Inc., Pittsburgh, PA), and "game enjoyment," which was assessed through self-report.

RESULTS

On average, Kinect play elicits moderate physical activity (approximately 4 metabolic equivalents of task). Games that are played in a two-player mode elicit more energy than games that are played in a single-player mode. However, this was only the case for simultaneous play (boxing, dancing, and tennis), not for turn-based play (bowling, baseball, and golf). Furthermore, participants generally liked exergaming, regardless of their sex or the player mode. Finally, no significant correlation was found between energy expenditure and game enjoyment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that Kinect play elicits physical activity of moderate intensity. Furthermore, Kinect play is generally enjoyed by both boys and girls. Simultaneous play may be the best suited to increase levels of physical activity in early adolescents who exhibit an inactive lifestyle.

Quantifying Fundamental Movement Skills During Active Video Games

This study sought to explore the type of fundamental movement skills (FMS) performed during Active Video Game (AVG) play, as well as the frequency with which these FMS are performed. In addition, this study aimed to determine the relationship between FMS performance and energy expenditure during 15 min of AVG play across two Microsoft Xbox Kinect AVGs. Fundamental movement skills were observed via video by two raters and energy expenditure derived using Actiheart monitors in children aged 10–15 years. Six different FMS were observed during AVG play with differences in the number of FMS performed between the two AVGs. The overall energy expended (Joules/kg/minute), however, was similar between the AVGs, suggesting the frequency of FMS did not influence overall energy expended during play. The movements observed during AVG play that possibly accounted for the energy expenditure, were not of a quality that could be classified as FMS. This research demonstrates that children playing these two games have the opportunity to repeatedly perform mostly two FMS, namely jumping and dodging. The goal of the AVGs, however, could be achieved with generalized movements that did not always meet the criteria to be classified as a FMS.