title: Assessing the Physiological Cost of Active Videogames (Xbox Kinect) Versus Sedentary Videogames in Young Healthy Males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to compare the physiological costs of active videogames (AVGs) and sedentary videogames (SVGs) and (2) to compare the exercise intensities attained during AVGs with the exercise intensity criteria for moderate and vigorous physical activity, as stated in current physical activity recommendations for improving public health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen young males participated in the study (age, 23 ± 3 years; height, 178 ± 6 cm; weight, 78 ± 15 kg). Participants completed a maximum oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) test and a gaming session, including AVGs ("Reflex Ridge," "River Rush," and "Boxing" for the Microsoft [Redmond, WA] Kinect™) and SVGs ("FIFA 14" [Electronic Arts, Burnaby, BC, Canada] and "Call of Duty" [Activision, Santa Monica, CA]). Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake [Formula: see text]) were recorded continuously during all videogames. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was taken every 3 minutes during AVGs and SVGs. Energy expenditure (EE), expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs), was calculated. One MET was defined as the volume of oxygen consumed at rest in a seated position and is equal to 3.5 mL of O2/kg of body mass/minute. The exercise intensity for each game was expressed as a percentage of [Formula: see text] and percentage of age-predicted maximum HR (HRmax).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exercise intensity (percentage HRmax, percentage [Formula: see text], and RPE) and EE (METs) were significantly higher during active gaming compared with sedentary gameplay (P < 0.01). AVGs elicited moderate levels of exercise intensity (64-72 percent HRmax) in line with current recommended physical activity guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate AVGs provoke physiological responses equivalent to a moderate-intensity physical activity.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Sunderland , Sunderland, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tough
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Sunderland , Sunderland, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sheerin
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Sunderland , Sunderland, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mattinson
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Sunderland , Sunderland, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dawe
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Sunderland , Sunderland, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Board
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D006113:United Kingdom; D018910:Video Games