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

Abstract

Purpose. The goals of the study were: a) to compare the way that two types of active video games (AVG) influenced physical effort and motivation in young adults; b) to compare direct and indirect instruments and use an indirect instrument (heart rate analysis) as a practical tool to verify physical effort in AVGs. Methods. Initially, 16 healthy but physically inactive young adult males with no AVGs experience took part in the randomized control trial. After the baseline assessments of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and aerobic capacity (AE), the participants were randomized into two groups: structured AVG (n = 6) and unstructured AVG (n = 7) (3 dropouts). They played 3 sessions a week, during 6 weeks. Direct and indirect metabolic measurements were made. To compare direct and indirect AE, Student t-test was used for related samples. changes (group × time) in HR, perceived exertion (PE), calculated energy expenditure (EE), calculated metabolic equivalent (MET), and motivation (points) were assessed with the two-way analysis of variance. Results. There were no differences between direct and indirect AE (36.0 ± 5.2 vs 33.9 ± 6.0 ml/kg/min: unstructured; 39.0 ± 5.9 vs 37.7 ± 5.9 ml/kg/min; p > 0.05). No differences were observed in maximal HR, PE, or motivation (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences referred to average HR, MET, and EE over the sessions (p < 0.05). HR and EE values were higher in structured than in unstructured AVGs. conclusions. HR and EE responses of structured AVGs turned out higher than those of unstructured AVGs, and the measurements proved efficient to analyse physical effort in AVGs in a long-term perspective.

Does a virtual functional training induce cardiovascular responses in normotensive adults after a single session and over weeks?

“…Previous studies have reported that a single AVG session induces a significant increase in HR, SBP, DBP, and hence in DP [1,2,4,5,23]. However, the PEH phenomenon in relation to AVG remains unclear.…”

“…In the present study, small effects on blood pressure were observed after a 4-week AVG intervention, whereas there was resting bradycardia as a chronic effect of the intervention. Even if HR is a commonly measured clinic variable in response to vascular effects, most studies record it at rest and during AVG sessions as a tool to determine the intensity of the games [1,2,23].…”

“…over years, physically inactive video games were used, generally without significant cardiovascular health benefits. on the other hand, active video games (AVG), in which the players have to remain physically active to succeed during matches, help to improve fitness levels and to develop motivation for physical activity [1,2]. Several studies with AVG have been carried out in order to verify the improvement of energy expenditure, aerobic capacity, and body composition [2][3][4].…”

Assessment of Active Video Games’ Energy Expenditure in Children with Overweight and Obesity and Differences by Gender

“…AVG interventions need to be structured and supervised to produce positive effects on energy expenditure. No effects were found on physical activity or energy expenditure in home-based and/or unstructured AVG interventions [ 34 , 35 ]. In the present study, not only was a planned and structured intervention carried out, but it was combined with traditional physical exercise with the aim of increasing energy expenditure.…”

“…AVG interventions need to be structured and supervised. because no effects were found on physical activity or energy expenditure in home-based and/or unstructured AVG interventions [ 34 , 35 ].…”