Adolescent exergame play for weight loss and psychosocial improvement: A controlled physical activity intervention

Abstract

Overweight and obese youth, who face increased risk of medical complications including heart disease and type II diabetes, can benefit from sustainable physical activity interventions that result in weight loss. This study examined whether a 20-week exergame (i.e. videogame that requires gross motor activity) intervention can produce weight loss and improve psychosocial outcomes for 54 overweight and obese African American adolescents. Participants were recruited from a public high school and randomly assigned to competitive exergame, cooperative exergame, or control conditions. All exergame participants were encouraged to play the Nintendo Wii Active game for 30-60 minutes per school day in a lunch-time or after-school program. Cooperative exergame participants worked with a peer to expend calories and earn points together, whereas competitive exergame participants competed against a peer. Control participants continued regular daily activities. Outcome measures included changes in weight, peer support, self-efficacy, and selfesteem, measured at baseline, and at approximately 10 weeks and 20 weeks. Growth curve analysis revealed that cooperative exergame players lost significantly more weight (M = 1.65 kg; SD = 4.52) than the control group, which did not lose weight. The competitive exergame players did not differ significantly from the other conditions. Cooperative exergame players also significantly increased in self-efficacy compared to the control group, and both exergame conditions significantly increased in peer support more than the control group. Exergames, especially played cooperatively, can be an effective technological tool for weight loss among youth.

Better Together: Outcomes of Cooperation Versus Competition in Social Exergaming

“…5 However, this study found no differences between the competitive condition (competing against a live partner) and a single-player condition, which is contrary to the hypothesis that social game play may be more beneficial than solitary play. 4,6,7 This may be explained by a study limitation: The cooperative group had a smaller playing area due to sharing the gaming space with their cooperator, which may have reduced activity in the cooperative group and confounded study findings…”

“…5 This conjecture has been supported by research showing that children who play exergames socially report greater increases in perceived social support, self-esteem, motivation, and self-efficacy than do children who play individually. 5,6 Social or group videogame play has been found to encourage continued use of exergames, maximize physical activity, and increase energy expenditure. [4][5][6][7] For example, children in a 12-week exergaming intervention were physically active for longer durations when they played in a multiplayer group (a total of 901 minutes) than when they played at home alone (356 minutes).…”

“…5,6 Social or group videogame play has been found to encourage continued use of exergames, maximize physical activity, and increase energy expenditure. [4][5][6][7] For example, children in a 12-week exergaming intervention were physically active for longer durations when they played in a multiplayer group (a total of 901 minutes) than when they played at home alone (356 minutes). 7 What is it about the social exergaming environment that facilitates prolonged physical activity?…”

The Effectiveness of Exergames in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The studies showed that exergaming primarily enhanced the elderly participants' dynamic balance measures in walking, single-leg standing and reaching tasks; their reaction times also improved significantly [16][17][18][19][38][39][40][41]. Staiono et al studied exergames for weight loss and psychosocial improvements in adolescents and concluded that exergames, especially when played cooperatively, can be an effective technological tool for weight loss among young people [42]. Kramer et al used exergames to improve balance and gait in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and wrote that "the integration of exergames seems to have a positive effect on adherence and is thus potentially beneficial for the long-term effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for MS patients" [43].…”

Australia and Other Nations Are Failing to Meet Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children: Implications and a Way Forward

“…[77][78][79][80] These studies have varied in age group and how they have accounted for physical activity.…”