Are Active Video Games Effective at Eliciting Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity in Children, and Do They Enjoy Playing Them?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite current physical activity (PA) guidelines, children spend an average of 1-3 hours/day playing video games. Some video games offer physically active components as part of gameplay. We sought to determine if these active video games (AVGs) can elicit at least moderate PA in children, identify game elements important for PA, and determine if they are fun to play.

Methods

Twenty children aged 8 to 16 years underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine their heart rate (HR) at ventilatory threshold. Participants played 2 different AVGs, and the gaming time that each participant's HR was above the HR thresholds for moderate and vigorous PA was determined. Gameplay elements that supported or inhibited active gameplay were also identified. Participants a

SUBMITTER: Norozi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7711007 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature