title: A meta-analysis of active video games on health outcomes among children and adolescents.
abstract: This meta-analysis synthesizes current literature concerning the effects of active video games (AVGs) on children/adolescents' health-related outcomes. A total of 512 published studies on AVGs were located, and 35 articles were included based on the following criteria: (i) data-based research articles published in English between 1985 and 2015; (ii) studied some types of AVGs and related outcomes among children/adolescents and (iii) had at least one comparison within each study. Data were extracted to conduct comparisons for outcome measures in three separate categories: AVGs and sedentary behaviours, AVGs and laboratory-based exercise, and AVGs and field-based physical activity. Effect size for each entry was calculated with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software in 2015. Mean effect size (Hedge's g) and standard deviation were calculated for each comparison. Compared with sedentary behaviours, AVGs had a large effect on health outcomes. The effect sizes for physiological outcomes were marginal when comparing AVGs with laboratory-based exercises. The comparison between AVGs and field-based physical activity had null to moderate effect sizes. AVGs could yield equivalent health benefits to children/adolescents as laboratory-based exercise or field-based physical activity. Therefore, AVGs can be a good alternative for sedentary behaviour and addition to traditional physical activity and sports in children/adolescents.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Physical Education, European University of Brittany, Brest, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pasco
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Body composition; cardiovascular fitness; energy expenditure; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity