title: Cardiopulmonary Response to Videogaming: Slaying Monsters Using Motion Sensor Versus Joystick Devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Replacing physical activity with videogaming has been implicated in causing obesity. Studies have shown that using motion-sensing controllers with activity-promoting videogames expends energy comparable to aerobic exercise; however, effects of motion-sensing controllers have not been examined with traditional (non-exercise-promoting) videogames.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured indirect calorimetry and heart rate in 14 subjects during rest and traditional videogaming using motion sensor and joystick controllers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Energy expenditure was higher while subjects were playing with the motion sensor (1.30±0.32 kcal/kg/hour) than with the joystick (1.07±0.26 kcal/kg/hour; P<0.01) or resting (0.91±0.24 kcal/kg/hour; P<0.01). Oxygen consumption during videogaming averaged 15.7 percent of predicted maximum for the motion sensor and 11.8 percent of maximum for the joystick. Minute ventilation was higher playing with the motion sensor (10.7±3.5 L/minute) than with the joystick (8.6±1.8 L/minute; P<0.02) or resting (6.7±1.4 L/minute; P<0.001), predominantly because of higher respiratory rates (15.2±4.3 versus 20.3±2.8 versus 20.4±4.2 beats/minute for resting, the joystick, and the motion sensor, respectively; P<0.001); tidal volume did not change significantly. Peak heart rate during gaming was 16.4 percent higher than resting (78.0±12.0) for joystick (90.1±15.0; P=0.002) and 17.4 percent higher for the motion sensor (91.6±14.1; P=0.002); mean heart rate did not differ significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Playing with a motion sensor burned significantly more calories than with a joystick, but the energy expended was modest. With both consoles, the increased respiratory rate without increasing tidal volume and the increased peak heart rate without increasing mean heart rate are consistent with psychological stimulation from videogaming, rather than a result of exercise. We conclude that using a motion sensor with traditional videogames does not provide adequate energy expenditure to provide cardiovascular conditioning.
authors.affiliation: 1 California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heiman-Patterson