Energy expenditure, heart rate response, and metabolic equivalents (METs) of adults taking part in children's games.
OBJECTIVE
The needs of physical activity can be seen through the lack of numbers participating in regular physical activity as well as the increase in prevalence of certain diseases such as Type II diabetes (especially in children), cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. With the increase in preventable diseases that are caused in part by a sedentary lifestyle, a closer look needs to be taken into the role of family interaction as a means of increasing physical activity for both adults and children. Because of the many benefits of physical activity in relation to health, a family approach to achieving recommended levels of physical activity may be quite applicable.


METHODS
Forty volunteers were recruited from the community (20 subjects and 20 children). The volunteers played 2 games: soccer and nerfball. Data was collected over 10 minutes (5 min per game). Expired air analysis was used to calculate energy expenditure and metabolic equivalents (METs). Descriptive statistics were calculated along with a regression analysis to determine differences between the 2 games, and an ACOVA to determine any significant effects of age, child age, gender, and physical activity level on the results.


RESULTS
For both games, average heart rate measured approximately 88%max; average METs measured approximately 6, average energy expenditure measured approximately 40 kcal.


CONCLUSIONS
S: This study showed that adults can achieve recommended physical activity levels through these specific activities if sustained for approximately 20 min.
Fischer
S L
SL
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855, USA.
Watts
P B
PB
Jensen
R L
RL
Nelson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*