Improving aerobic capacity through active videogames: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract--The rate of peak workload improvement between different types of Active Video Games (AVG) in young sedentary adults was investigated. Aerobic capacity improvement after a 6-week intervention between AVG types was also compared. Twenty participants, after baseline assessments, were randomized into one of three parallel groups: structured AVG (n = 6), unstructured AVG (n = 7) and a control group (n = 7). Participants played their respective AVG 3 times a week for 6-weeks (30 minutes-session). The control group maintained normal activities. Both structured and unstructured AVG improved peak workload after four weeks but only the structured group maintained this improvement through week five and six. Aerobic capacity improved in the unstructured (Pre: 36.0 ± 5.2ml.kg.min-¹,Post: 39.7 ± 4.9ml.kg.min-¹, p = .038) and structured AVG (Pre: 39.0 ± 5.9ml.kg.min-¹,Post: 47.8 ± 4.3ml.kg.min-¹, p = .006) groups. Structured AVG provide greater health benefits to aerobic capacity and peak workload in young sedentary but otherwise healthy males relative to unstructured AVG. Keywords: exercise, videogames, physical fitnessResumo--"Melhora da capacidade aeróbica através de videogames ativos: Um estudo controlado randomizado." A velocidade de aparecimento de melhoria de potência de diferentes tipos de Video Games Ativos (VGA) em adultos jovens foi investigada. A melhora da capacidade aeróbia após uma intervenção de 6 semanas de diferentes VGAs também foi comparada. Vinte participantes após avaliações iniciais foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos paralelos: VGA estruturado (n = 6), o VGA não estruturados (n = 7) e um grupo controle (n = 7). Os participantes realizaram suas respectivas 3 vezes por semana de VGA durante 6 semanas (30 minutos por sessão). O grupo controle manteve suas atividades normais. Ambos estruturado e não estruturado melhoram a potência depois de quatro semanas, mas somente o grupo estruturado manteve esta melhoria nas semanas cinco e seis. A capacidade aeróbica foi melhorada tanto no VGA não-estruturado (Pre: 36,0 ± 5,2ml.kg.min-¹, Post: 39,7 ± 4,9 ml.kg.min-¹, p = 0,038) e estruturado (Pre: 39,0 ± 5,9ml.kg.min-¹,Post: 47,8 ± 4,3ml.kg.min-¹, p = 0,006). O VGA estruturado proporcionou maiores benefícios na saúde da capacidade aeróbica e a potência em homens jovens sedentários, em relação ao VGA não-estruturado. Palavras-chave: exercício, video games, treinamento físicoResumen--"Mejora en la capacidad aeróbica a través de juegos de vídeo activos: un estudio controlado seleccionado al azar." La tasa de mejoría mayor volumen de trabajo entre los diferentes tipos de Juegos de Video Activos (VJA) en jóvenes adultos sedentarios fue investigado. Mejoras de la capacidad aeróbica después de una intervención de 6 semanas entre los tipos de AVG también se comparó. Veinte participantes, después de evaluaciones de referencia, fueron aleatorizados en uno de tres grupos paralelos: VJA estructurado (n = 6), VJA no estructurada (n = 7) y un grupo control (n = 7). Los participantes jugaron sus respectivos VJA 3...

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 order to get closer to the actual practice of physical exercises, the authors chose an AVG that had characteristics of functional training, as it is used in real life and has been applied in previous studies [2]. the structured Nike Kinect training ® game at the beginning and at the end of the session performs joint mobility to assist in the warm-up while providing functional movements such as squatting, pushing, jumping, forward, sideways, and backward, as presented in the literature [2]. the amount, duration, and speed of the exercises, as well as the interval were proposed by a 'functional physical evaluation' (ca.…”

“…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].…”

“…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]. AVG turn out a practical and attractive way to change sedentary behaviours in different populations [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]. AVG turn out a practical and attractive way to change sedentary behaviours in different populations [2].…”