title: Only lower limb controlled interactive computer gaming enables an effective increase in energy expenditure.
abstract: Limited research documents if new and existing interactive computer gaming "exergaming" increase energy expenditure and cardio-respiratory costs comparable to common exercise modalities. To address this, healthy male volunteers (n = 15) completed six by 12-min test elements: PlayStation2 (PS2(hand)), Nintendo Wii boxing, walk at 5.6 km h(-1), cycle at 120 W, playing an adapted lower limb controlled PS2 (PS2(limb)) and run at 9.6 km h(-1). In addition, they played PS2(limb) for 30 min and performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests, P < 0.05 inferred significance. PS2(limb) increased energy expenditure (EE) and post-exercise blood lactate (BLa) significantly higher (P < 0.001) than PS2(hand), Wii gaming or walking at 5.6 km h(-1) (EE: 30.3 ± 4.9 vs. 4.7 ± 1.1, 22.0 ± 6.1 and 17.9 ± 1.9 kJ h(-1) kg(-1); BLa: 2.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3, 1.8 ± 0.8 and 0.9 ± 0.2 mmol L(-1)), playing the PS2(limb) raised mean EE over six times greater than PS2(hand). Mean fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates during the 9- to 12-min period playing the PS2(limb) were five and ten times greater than PS2(hand) (0.25 ± 0.10 vs. 0.05 ± 0.10, 1.69 ± 0.52 vs. 0.15 ± 0.14 g min(-1), respectively). PS2(limb) met ACSM guidelines for cardiovascular fitness; however, current Wii technology failed. In conclusion, gaming interactive technology must be adapted or designed to include the lower limbs in order to provide a significant exercise stimulus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. jordanm1@tcd.ie
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donne
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D001914:Boxing / Q000502:physiology; D004526:Efficiency; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology