Effects of interactive video game cycling on overweight and obese adolescent health

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of interactive video game stationary cycling (GameBike) in comparison with stationary cycling to music on adherence, energy expenditure measures, submaximal aerobic fitness, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk markers in overweight and obese adolescents, using a randomized controlled trial design. Thirty overweight (with at least 1 metabolic complication) or obese adolescents aged 12-17 years were stratified by gender and randomized to video game or music condition, with 4 participants (2 per group) failing to complete the twice weekly 60 min sessions of the 10-week trial. The music group had a higher rate of attendance compared with the video game group (92% vs. 86%, p < 0.05). Time spent in minutes per session at vigorous intensity (80%-100% of predicted peak heart rate) (24.9 ± 20 min vs. 13.7 ± 12.8 min, p < 0.05) and average distance (km) pedaled per session (12.5 ± 2.8 km vs. 10.2 ± 2.2 km, p < 0.05) also favoured the music group. However, both interventions produced significant improvements in submaximal indicators of aerobic fitness as measured by a graded cycle ergometer protocol. Also, when collapsed, the exercise modalities reduced body fat percentage and total cholesterol. The present study indicates that cycling to music was just as effective as stationary cycling while playing video games at improving fitness, body composition, and cholesterol profiles in overweight and obese teens, and resulted in increased attendance, vigorous intensity of physical activity, and distance pedaled. Therefore, our data support the superiority of cycling to music and indicate investing in the more expensive GameBike may not be worth the cost.

Psyhical effort, energy expediture, and motivation in structured and unstructured active video games: a randomized controlled trial

“…Previous research has shown that a structured AVG (3 times a week of cycling) significantly improves the cardiovascular fitness in overweight and obese adolescents after 10 weeks of play [13]. Similarly, young adults (18-25 years; 3 times a week) presented a significant cardiovascular fitness improvement and reductions in maximal heart rate (HR) after only 6 weeks of structured AVG intervention [9].…”

Improving aerobic capacity through active videogames: A randomized controlled trial

“…Previous research has shown that peak workload can be improved in overweight and obese individuals after 10 weeks of a structured cycling AVG (Adamo et al, 2010). Similarly, the peak workload of healthy young adults (18-25 years) improved after only 6 weeks of a structured AVG intervention (Warburton et al, 2007).…”

“…squats, cycling) and systematically progress players by increasing the difficulty of the movements as game play progresses (Christie & Trout, 2007;Kraft, Russell, Bowman, SelsorIII, & Foster, 2011;Warburton et al, 2007). Previous research has shown that a structured cycling AVG significantly improves the peak aerobic capacity workload in overweight and obese adolescents after 10 weeks of play (Adamo, Rutherford, & Goldfield, 2010). Similarly, young adults (18-25 years) saw a significant improvement in aerobic capacity after only 6 weeks of a structured AVG intervention (Warburton et al, 2007).…”

Efeito do treinamento com videogames ativos nas dimensões morfológica e funcional: estudo clínico randomizado

“…Os voluntários foram submetidos à uma análise direta do consumo de oxigênio (CPX/D, Cortex, Germany) com máscara (Metalyser, Germany), por meio de um teste incremental máximo no cicloergômetro de frenagem eletromagnética (Cateye, Japão) de acordo com o protocolo descrito por Astrand Ryhming (1954 (Adamo et al, 2010;Lee & Shin, 2013;Warburton et al, 2007).…”

“…Estudos anteriores (Adamo, Rutherford, & Goldfield, 2010;Warburton et al, 2007) reportam que programas de treinamento com VGAs, quando realizados entre seis e dez semanas, oferecem melhoras em torno da aptidão física relacionada à saúde. No entanto, ainda são poucas as evidências científicas que verificaram o tempo mínimo necessário para provocar tais alterações na população adulta jovem.…”