Comparison Between Nintendo Wii Fit Aerobics and Traditional Aerobic Exercise in Sedentary Young Adults

Abstract

Exergaming is becoming a popular recreational activity for young adults. The purpose was to compare the physiologic and psychological responses of college students playing Nintendo Wii Fit, an active video game console, vs. an equal duration of moderate-intensity brisk walking. Twenty-one healthy sedentary college-age students (mean age 23.2 ± 1.8 years) participated in a randomized, double cross-over study, which compared physiologic and psychological responses to 30 minutes of brisk walking exercise on a treadmill vs. 30 minutes playing Nintendo Wii Fit "Free Run" program. Physiologic parameters measured included heart rate, rate pressure product, respiratory rate, and rating of perceived exertion. Participants' positive well-being, psychological distress, and level of fatigue associated with each exercise modality were quantified using the Subjective Exercise Experience Scale. The mean maximum heart rate (HRmax) achieved when exercising with Wii Fit (142.4 ± 20.5 b·min(-1)) was significantly greater (p = 0.001) compared with exercising on the treadmill (123.2 ± 13.7 b·min(-1)). Rate pressure product was also significantly greater (p = 0.001) during exercise on the Wii Fit. Participants' rating of perceived exertion when playing Wii Fit (12.7 ± 3.0) was significantly greater (p = 0.014) when compared with brisk walking on the treadmill (10.1 ± 3.3). However, psychologically when playing Wii Fit, participants' positive well-being decreased significantly (p = 0.018) from preexercise to postexercise when compared with exercising on the treadmill. College students have the potential to surpass exercise intensities achieved when performing a conventional standard for moderate-intensity exercise when playing Nintendo Wii Fit "Free Run" with a self-selected intensity. We concluded that Nintendo Wii Fit "Free Run" may act as an alternative to traditional moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in fulfilling the American College of Sports Medicine requirements for physical activity.

Respostas cardiovasculares agudas em ambiente virtualmente simulado pelo Nintendo Wii

“…Results showed that the exercises' mean intensity level was of 43, 4 ± 16.7% of reserve HR, with a 3.5 ± 0.96 METs and energy expenditure of 116.2 ± 40.9 kcal/session, indicating that virtual games should be considered as an alternative tool for improving physical fitness and health. This possibility has also been observed in other studies related to the interpretation of physiological demand promoted by Nintendo Wii games 11,12 . However, it is important to highlight that virtual activity alone should not replace an oriented training program.…”

“…Although acute cardiovascular responses have not yet been effectively described with the use of Nintendo Wii, it has been proposed that some Nintendo Wii games could facilitate the meeting of recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) regarding the improvement and maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness 11,12 . Miyachiet al…”

“…Results showed that 67% of activities were classified as of light-intensity (< 3 METs), 33% as of moderate-intensity (3 -6 METs), and no activity was considered as of vigorous-intensity (> 6 METs). Douris et al 12 compared physiological and psychological responses of 21 college students, healthy and sedentary, with a mean age of 23.2 ± 1.8 years, after they were subjected to 30 minutes of exercise like brisk walking on the treadmill versus 30 minutes of Nintendo Wii Fit on Free Run mode. Regarding physiological responses, the following variables were assessed: heart rate (HR), double product (DP), respiratory rate and perceived exertion.…”

Exergames podem ser uma ferramenta para acréscimo de atividade física e melhora do condicionamento físico?

“…Os games de tennis, yoga, golf, ski, baseball, boliche e corrida apareceram em cerca de 36% do total dos jogos estudados 4,13,14,20,[26][27][28] . 4,6,[13][14][15][16]30 .…”

Heart rate response during a session with different active videogames.

“…(7) Miscellaneous studies found that the AVG's increase effort allowing enhanced body dynamics, raising the heart rate and thereby increasing levels of physical activity. (8,9,10,11) In the market, you will find many AVG's, such as Xavix, Playstation Eye Toy, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360…”