Energy Expenditure and Enjoyment During Nintendo® Wii Active Video Games: How do they compare to other sedentary and physical activities? Research Completed

Title

Energy Expenditure and Enjoyment During Nintendo® Wii Active Video Games: How do they compare to other sedentary and physical activities?

Lead Author

Kate White , Andrew E Kilding, Grant Schofield

Organisation(s)

Prepared for Sport and Recreation New Zealand by Auckland University of Technology

Publication Year

2009

Publisher

Sport and Recreation New Zealand

Contacts

Kate White

email: kate.white@aut.ac.nz

Abstract

Children are becoming more inactive and are spending a significant proportion of their time participating in screen-time sedentary behaviours. Active video games may provide an opportunity to turn traditional sedentary screen-time into worthwhile active screen-time. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the metabolic costs of different activities; 2) identify whether experience and fitness influence the metabolic costs of active video games; and 3) establish children’s enjoyment of active video games.

Twenty-six boys’ (11.4 ± 0.8 yr) heart rate, oxygen uptake (VO2) and energy expenditure (EE) were measured during sedentary activities (resting, television and sedentary gaming), active video games (Nintendo® Wii Bowling, Boxing, Tennis, Skiing and Step Aerobics), and physical activities (walking and running). Participants’ enjoyment was also measured using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale immediately after eight activities.

The active video games resulted in a significantly higher EE compared to rest (63-190%, pp

The metabolic cost of active video games suggests that they may be suitable as an intervention to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviour. However, as they were quantified as being low intensity activities, active video game play time should not be considered part of the 60-minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity that is currently recommended for children.

Keywords:

Children; Sedentary behaviour; Video games

How to access

Areas of Focus

Population Groups

Topics

Views

1129

Added

July 3, 2013

Last Modified

July 18, 2013