Cardiovascular and Affective Outcomes of Active Gaming: Using the Nintendo Wii as a Cardiovascular Training Tool

Abstract Naugle, KE, Naugle, KM, and Wikstrom, EA. Cardiovascular and affective outcomes of active gaming: Using the Nintendo Wii as a cardiovascular training tool. J Strength Cond Res 28(2): 443–451, 2014—Active-video gaming is purported to produce similar cardiovascular responses as aerobic fitness activities. This study compared the emotional and cardiovascular effects of Wii games with those of traditional exercise in college-aged adults with different exercise backgrounds. Specifically, the percentage of heart rate reserve, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), level of enjoyment, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scores were compared between subjects who reported exercising frequently at high intensities (high-intensity exerciser group: age = 20.18 years [0.87]; Height = 165.23 cm [9.97]; Mass = 62.37 kg [11.61]), N = 11 and those who exercise more often at lower intensities (low-intensity exercisers group: age = 20.72 years [1.19]; Height = 164.39 cm [8.05]; Mass = 68.04 kg [10.71]), N = 11. The subjects completed six 20-minute exercises sessions: treadmill walking, stationary cycling, and Wii's Tennis, Boxing, Cycling, and Step. The low-intensity exerciser group achieved a greater percentage of heart rate reserve (a) during traditional exercise compared with that during Wii boxing, (b) playing Wii boxing compared with that for Wii tennis, and (c) playing Wii boxing compared with that when the high-intensity exercisers group played any Wii games (p < 0.05). The RPE was greater for boxing and cycling compared with that for tennis and step (p < 0.05). Ratings of enjoyment and the increase in positive emotion were greater for boxing and for tennis compared with those for traditional exercises (p < 0.05). Results suggest that Wii boxing shows the greatest potential as a cardiovascular fitness tool among the Wii games, particularly for individuals who typically exercise at lower intensities.

[1]  B E Ainsworth,et al.  A simultaneous evaluation of 10 commonly used physical activity questionnaires. , 1993, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[2]  Affect Responses to Acute Bouts of Aerobic Exercise in Fit and Unfit Participants: An Examination of Opponent-Process Theory , 2006 .

[3]  P. Ekkekakis,et al.  The Pleasure and Displeasure People Feel When they Exercise at Different Intensities , 2011, Sports medicine.

[4]  A. Bauman,et al.  Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. , 2007, Circulation.

[5]  T. Gavin,et al.  Affective and self-efficacy responses to acute aerobic exercise in sedentary older and younger adults. , 2007, Journal of aging and physical activity.

[6]  Carol Ewing Garber,et al.  ACSM Position Stand: The Recommended Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness, and Flexibility in Healthy Adults , 1998 .

[7]  Bruce W Bailey,et al.  Energy cost of exergaming: a comparison of the energy cost of 6 forms of exergaming. , 2011, Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine.

[8]  K. Short,et al.  Playing Active Video Games Increases Energy Expenditure in Children , 2009, Pediatrics.

[9]  Bethany M. Kwan,et al.  Affective response to exercise as a component of exercise motivation: Attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and temporal stability of intentions. , 2010, Psychology of sport and exercise.

[10]  R J Robertson,et al.  The validity of regulating exercise intensity by ratings of perceived exertion. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[11]  D. Swain,et al.  Heart rate reserve is equivalent to %VO2 reserve, not to %VO2max. , 1997, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[12]  J. Levine,et al.  Energy Expenditure of Sedentary Screen Time Compared With Active Screen Time for Children , 2006, Pediatrics.

[13]  M. Karvonen,et al.  The effects of training on heart rate; a longitudinal study. , 1957, Annales medicinae experimentalis et biologiae Fenniae.

[14]  James A Levine,et al.  Activity-promoting video games and increased energy expenditure. , 2009, The Journal of pediatrics.

[15]  R. Mellecker,et al.  Energy expenditure and cardiovascular responses to seated and active gaming in children. , 2008, Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine.

[16]  Jeannine S. Schiller,et al.  Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2000. , 2003, Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey.

[17]  N. Lowe,et al.  A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. , 1990, Research in nursing & health.

[18]  Ryan E Rhodes,et al.  The health benefits of interactive video game exercise. , 2007, Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme.

[19]  Katherine M. Kosa,et al.  Economic causes and consequences of obesity. , 2005, Annual review of public health.

[20]  G. Stratton,et al.  The contribution of upper limb and total body movement to adolescents’ energy expenditure whilst playing Nintendo Wii , 2008, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[21]  A. Dunn,et al.  Affect, exercise, and physical activity among healthy adolescents. , 2009, Journal of sport & exercise psychology.

[22]  Moh H. Malek,et al.  NSCA's essentials of personal training , 2012 .

[23]  D. Watson,et al.  Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. , 1988, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[24]  P. Douris,et al.  Comparison Between Nintendo Wii Fit Aerobics and Traditional Aerobic Exercise in Sedentary Young Adults , 2012, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[25]  R. Shephard,et al.  A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. , 1969, Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport.

[26]  David M Williams.  Exercise, affect, and adherence: an integrated model and a case for self-paced exercise. , 2008, Journal of sport & exercise psychology.

[27]  R. Kraemer,et al.  Metabolic Responses to Wii Fit™ Video Games at Different Game Levels , 2011, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[28]  G. Atkinson,et al.  The physiological cost and enjoyment of Wii Fit in adolescents, young adults, and older adults. , 2010, Journal of physical activity & health.

[29]  H. Pollack,et al.  Obesity and the economy: from crisis to opportunity. , 2009, JAMA.

[30]  Clifford W Selsor,et al.  Heart Rate and Perceived Exertion During Self-Selected Intensities for Exergaming Compared to Traditional Exercise in College-Age Participants , 2011, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[31]  Bernard Donne,et al.  Only lower limb controlled interactive computer gaming enables an effective increase in energy expenditure , 2011, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[32]  R. Shephard.  PAR-Q, Canadian Home Fitness Test and Exercise Screening Alternatives , 1988, Sports medicine.

[33]  D. Markland,et al.  Responses to Physical Exertion in Active and Inactive Males and Females , 1994 .

[34]  Jeannine S. Schiller,et al.  Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2001. , 2004, Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey.

[35]  Kenta Yamamoto,et al.  METs in adults while playing active video games: a metabolic chamber study. , 2009, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[36]  G. Godin,et al.  Assessment of leisure time exercise behavior by self-report: a concurrent validity study. , 1986, Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique.

[37]  N. Cable,et al.  Comparison of energy expenditure in adolescents when playing new generation and sedentary computer games: cross sectional study , 2007, BMJ : British Medical Journal.