Background:Active video games (exergames) increase energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA) compared with sedentary video gaming. The physiological cost and enjoyment of exergaming in adolescents, and young and older adults has not been documented, nor compared with aerobic exercise. This study compared the physiological cost and enjoyment of exergaming on Wii Fit with aerobic exercise in 3 populations.Methods:Cardiorespiratory and enjoyment measurements were compared in 14 adolescents, 15 young adults, and 13 older adults during handheld inactive video gaming, Wii Fit activities (yoga, muscle conditioning, balance, aerobics), and brisk treadmill walking and jogging.Results:For all groups EE and heart rate (HR) of Wii Fit activities were greater than handheld gaming (P < .001) but lower than treadmill exercise (P ≤ .001). Wii aerobics elicited moderate intensity activity in adolescents, young adults, and older adults with respective mean (SD) metabolic equivalents of 3.2 (0.7), 3.6 (0.8), and 3.2 (0.8). HR during Wii aerobics fell below the recommended intensity for maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. Group enjoyment rating was greater for Wii balance and aerobics compared with treadmill walking and jogging (P ≤ .05).Conclusions:Wii Fit appears an enjoyable exergame for adolescents and adults, stimulating light-to-moderate intensity activity through the modification of typically sedentary leisure behavior.

The results of this controlled epidemiological investigation indicate that volume of vigorous physical training may be an etiologic factor for exercise-related injuries. The findings also suggest that type of training, particularly running, and abrupt increases in training volume may further contribute to injury risk.

Among a population of randomly selected US Marine Corps recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, the authors developed a screening tool to identify individuals at high risk for lower extremity stress fracture when beginning a rigorous physical training program. The screening tool was developed among 1,286 recruits, then tested and refined among 1,078 additional recruits. The refined algorithm, consisting of five physical activity questions and a 1.5-mi (2.4-km) run time, revealed that 21.6% of "high risk" subjects suffered more than three times as many stress fractures as "low risk" subjects. These data suggest that risk of stress fracture during rigorous physical training is increased by poor physical fitness and low levels of physical activity prior to their entry into the program.

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