Playing active video games can equal moderate-intensity exercise

[Guest guest]

Playing active video games can equal moderate-intensity exercise

Abstract 1045/Poster 2021

http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43 & item=856

Study highlights:

One-third of Wii sport™ and Wii fit™ activities provide energy expenditures

equal to moderate-intensity exercise.

Active video games may help prevent or improve obesity and lifestyle-related

diseases, researchers said.

The study was funded by Nintendo™.

Video clip of interview with researcher located at bottom of page

http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43 & item=856

ORLANDO, FLA., Nov.16, 2009 — Active Wii sports™ video games and some Wii fit™

activities may increase adults' energy expenditure as much as moderately intense

exercise, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's

Scientific Sessions 2009.

The study, funded by Nintendo™, demonstrated that about one-third of the virtual

physical activities require an energy expenditure of 3.0 METs or above,

considered moderate-intensity exercise. METs are metabolic equivalent values, a

standard method of estimating energy expenditure.

The average intensities were distributed over a wide range from lotus focus, 1.3

METs, to single-arm stand, 5.6 METs.

Researchers used a metabolic chamber to measure the energy expenditure of 12 men

and women, 25 to 44 years old, as they pantomimed basic moves and motions of

these sports and physical activities with motion-sensing controls. The

open-circuit indirect metabolic chamber consisted of an airtight room (20,000

liters or 15,000 liters). The metabolic chamber method could replicate the

conditions under which the participants enjoy the games in their home, because

they were free from apparatus used to measure energy expenditure (EE) when

playing the game.

" Energy expenditure is the most important information to measure the effect of

video games, " said Motohiko Miyachi, Ph.D., lead author of the study and Project

Leader of Project for Physical Activity in the Health Promotion and Exercise

Program at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, Japan.

Researchers found:

• Nine activities had less than 2 METs.

• Twenty-three activities had 2–3 METs.

• Nine activities had 3–4 METs.

• Five activities had more than 4 METs.

" The range of energy expenditure in these active games is sufficient to prevent

or to improve obesity and lifestyle-related disease, from heart disease and

diabetes to metabolic diseases, " Miyachi said.

According to the American Heart Association's exercise guidelines, light

intensity exercise is less than 3.0 METs; moderate intensity is 3.0 to 6.0 METs;

and vigorous activity is more than 6 METs. An adult walking at three miles per

hour on a flat surface is expending about 3.3 METs. Adults gain the most health

benefits when they do the equivalent of at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) of

moderate intensity aerobic physical activity each week. Regular physical

activity reduces the risk of many adverse health outcomes. Some physical

activity is better than none.

Wii sports™ are a collection of five simplified games based on boxing, golf,

tennis, bowling and baseball. Boxing is the most effective activity to increase

energy expenditure, about 4.5 METs, according to the study findings. Golf,

bowling, tennis and baseball are 2.0, 2.6, 3.0, and 3.0 METs, respectively.

Wii fit™ includes yoga, resistance and strength training, balance and aerobic

exercises with more than 40 different activities, from push-ups to torso twists

to single leg extensions.

The most effective exercise is the single-arm stand, 5.6 METs, regarded as a

difficult resistance exercise that involves standing up and lying down.

The intensities of yoga and balance exercise were significantly lower than those

of resistance and aerobic exercise, but these exercises are effective in

improving flexibility and in fall prevention, researchers said.

Americans and Japanese are increasingly overweight. About one-third of adults in

the United States are overweight and almost one-third are obese, according to

the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

" Obesity and overweight is increasing in Japanese men, " Miyachi said. " Twenty

years ago, only 20 percent Japanese middle-aged men were obese and overweight,

now it is more than 30 percent. "

Miyachi, who also plays active video games, recommends these active games rather

than sedentary video games. The study's findings about energy expenditure apply

to Americans as well as Japanese and to younger and older people. An estimated

63 million sets of Wii sports™ and Wii fit™ were sold worldwide, Miyachi said.

Co-authors are K. Yamamoto, Ph.D.; K. Ohkawara, Ph.D.; and S. Tanaka, Ph.D.

Author disclosures can be found on the abstract.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart

Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not

necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no

representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association

receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations

(including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make

donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has

strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science

content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at

www.americanheart.org/corporatefunding.

[Guest guest]

I just started playing wii tennis and bowling. I definatley feel my

heart working and my arms and core. Last night I was sweating while

playing! Plus it is so much fun and I feel great being " back on the

tennis court " . My friend uses it during PT also. For fun I do American idol

singing too!!

Jackie