Playing active video games increases energy expenditure in children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare energy expenditure rates in children playing the physically active video games, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and Nintendo's Wii Sports in relation to treadmill walking.


METHODS
Energy expenditure, heart rate, step rate, and perceived exertion were measured in 14 boys and 9 girls (ages 10-13 years; BMI at 3-98th percentile for age and gender) while watching television at rest, playing DDR at 2 skill levels, playing Wii bowling and boxing, and walking at 2.6, 4.2, and 5.7 km/h. Arterial elasticity was measured at rest and immediately after gaming.


RESULTS
Compared with watching television, energy expenditure while gaming or walking increased 2- to 3-fold. Similarly, high rates of energy expenditure, heart rate, and perceived exertion were elicited from playing Wii boxing, DDR level 2, or walking at 5.7 km/h. This occurred despite variations in step rate among activities, reflecting greater use of upper body during Wii play (lowest step rate) than during walking (highest step rate) or DDR play. Wii bowling and beginner level DDR elicited a 2-fold increase in energy expenditure compared to television watching. Large-artery elasticity declined immediately after both DDR and Wii. The change was inversely related to the increment in energy expenditure above rest achieved during the activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Energy expenditure during active video game play is comparable to moderate-intensity walking. Thus, for children who spend considerable time playing electronic screen games for entertainment, physically active games seem to be a safe, fun, and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure.
Graf
Diana L
DL
bDepartment of Pediatrics, aCollege of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.
Pratt
Lauren V
LV
Hester
Casey N
CN
Short
Kevin R
KR
D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005082:Physical Exertion; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D018910:Video Games; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology