title: Energy expenditure and enjoyment during video game play: differences by game type.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Play of physically active video games may be a way to increase physical activity and/or decrease sedentary behavior, but games are not universally active or enjoyable. Active games may differ from traditional games on important attributes, which may affect frequency and intensity of play. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in energy expenditure and enjoyment across four game types: shooter (played with traditional controllers), band simulation (guitar or drum controller), dance simulation (dance mat controller), and fitness (balance board controller).
  
  
  METHODS
  Energy expenditure (METs) and enjoyment were measured across 10 games in 100 young adults age 18-35 yr (50 women).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All games except shooter games significantly increased energy expenditure over rest (P < 0.001). Fitness and dance games increased energy expenditure by 322% (mean ± SD = 3.10 ± 0.89 METs) and 298% (2.91 ± 0.87 METs), which was greater than that produced by band simulation (73%, 1.28 ± 0.28 METs) and shooter games (23%, 0.91 ± 0.16 METs). However, enjoyment was higher in band simulation games than in other types (P < 0.001). Body mass-corrected energy expenditure was greater in normal weight than in overweight participants in the two most active game types (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active video games can significantly increase energy expended during screen time, but these games are less enjoyable than other more sedentary games, suggesting that they may be less likely to be played over time. Less active but more enjoyable video games may be a promising method for decreasing sedentary behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. elyons@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: Deborah F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Dianne S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bowling
authors.forename: Kurt M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ribisl
authors.forename: Sriram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalyararaman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult