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.

Active Video Games for Rehabilitation in Respiratory Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

“…One study included in that review, but which was excluded from the present review (as it didn't compare AVGs to traditional exercise or to rest), found the HR target for moderate physical activity (64% of predicted maximum HR) was met during the boxing activity of the Likewise, the results of the present review are consistent with a meta-analysis of AVGs for healthy adults and children by Peng et al [66], who concluded that the HR, energy expenditure and oxygen consumption were no different between AVGs and traditional physical activities. In contrast, a more recent meta-analysis on AVGs in healthy children [67] found that AVGs had a large positive mean effect on HR, small positive mean effect size on enjoyment and a similar rate of perceived exertion compared to traditional exercise in a laboratory setting.…”

The Serious Games Ecosystem: Interdisciplinary and Intercontextual Praxis

“…For instance, these studies often have small sample-sizes, do not take into account cultural or other demographical differences, and are undertaken over a short period [180,181,182]. Furthermore, several meta-analyses demonstrated a range of mostly positive results in regards to efficacy in the fields of exercise [183], promoting healthy lifestyles [184], and diabetes self-management [185]. Therefore, we can see the same challenges in healthcare that are apparent in educational and other contexts within this chapter -satisfactorily proving the efficacy of an amorphous medium across multiple use-cases.…”

Does the User's Evaluation of a Socially Assistive Robot Change Based on Presence and Companionship Type?

“…They provide accompanying virtual agents or mirror the actions of the user [2]. The shift of focus from workout to play in games is believed to increase people's and specially children's exercising motivation because they "capitalize on children's natural interest in computerized video interaction" [3]. However, the long-term effects of exergaming with entertainment systems is contented [3].…”

“…A lack of motivation is the most common obstacle for physical activity. Recently, there is a trend for using active video games to promote rehabilitation and physical activity [3]. These approaches seem to be a suitable addition to standard methods of rehabilitation.…”

“…The shift of focus from workout to play in games is believed to increase people's and specially children's exercising motivation because they "capitalize on children's natural interest in computerized video interaction" [3]. However, the long-term effects of exergaming with entertainment systems is contented [3]. In our line of research, we question whether video games and virtual agents are sufficient to increase long-term motivation to exercise or whether embodiment is needed to increase the motivation.…”