Posted by John Ferrara on June 7, 2012
Earlier this year, a study published in the journal Pediatrics found that five games that are marketed with the promise of increasing players' physical fitness produced no actual difference in activity. 78 kids between 9 and 12 were given Wii consoles, and then one group was given a couple of exergames while a control group was given "inactive" games like Madden and Mario Kart. The kids wore devices to measure their physical activity, and they kept logs of when they played.
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Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Friday, 27 April 2012
Determining intensity levels for selected Wii Fit activities in college aged individuals.
By Joshua D. Grieser
Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Studies thesis
May 2010
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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Physical activity is important to the proper growth, development, and overall health of an individual. Current physical activity trends show declines in activity level throughout aging. To counteract inactivity many physical activity interventions have been implemented in different age groups and yet very little change in activity level has been seen. The Nintendo Wii® offers a popular technological intervention tool with its movement oriented game play. The physiological costs and intensity of the Nintendo Wii Fit® game have not been thoroughly researched, yet the Wii is being used as a physical activity tool in many arenas.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the intensity level of playing selected Nintendo Wii Fit® games using indirect calorimetry. Using the intensity information, it was determined if playing Wii Fit® (an exercise themed game) on the Nintendo Wii® video game console is an adequate activity for meeting the ACSM moderate physical activity guidelines threshold. Participants: Twenty-five participants, 5 males and 20 females, aged 22 ± 2 years (M ± SD) with little previous Wii experience were recruited for this study.
Method: Participants randomly completed two different Wii Fit activity sessions with two difficulty levels within the strength, endurance, and yoga categories. A resting metabolic rate and exercise VO2were measured on each participant with a TrueMax 2400 metabolic cart. Oxygen consumption was then converted into metabolic equivalents to estimate activity intensity level. SPSS18.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) was use for statistical analysis.
Results: Results indicated that VO2 of the selected Wii Fit activities was significantly higher than resting 2 VO levels. For example, the least intense activity was the Yoga Warrior activity, which had a mean intensity of 2.30 ± 0.42 METs and was still significantly higher than resting 2 VO levels, t (24) = 15.5, p < .001. The calculated MET values ranged from 3.28 ± 0.71 METs to 3.43 ± 0.60 METs for the strength activities, and ranged from 4.98 ± 1.22 METs to 5.73 ± 1.36 METs for the aerobic Basic Run exercises, indicating that the intensity levels of these activities met or exceeded the ACSM moderate intensity threshold of 3 METs. In contrast, the yoga exercises were significantly lower (from 2.30 ± 0.42 METs to 2.6749 ± .48 METs) than the recommended 3 METs, t (24) = -3.347, p= .003 for moderate intensity physical activity. Finally, the results showed that the medium difficulty level aerobic exercises (5.73 ± 1.36 METs) had significantly higher MET values than the easy aerobic exercises (4.98 ± 1.22 METs), t (24) = 5.00, p < .001.
Discussion: The findings of this study illustrate the potential of the Nintendo Wii Fit® game to be an adequate physical activity tool. Furthermore, these findings will allow for the further advancement of exercise themed video games to become satisfactory replacements for traditional physical activities in future interventions.
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Thursday, 2 February 2012
Video Games in Health Care: Closing the Gap
Review of General Psychology
2010, Vol. 14, No. 2, 113–121
2010, Vol. 14, No. 2, 113–121
Pamela M. Kato
University Medical Center Utrech
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Abstract
Although a great deal of media attention has been given to the negative effects of playing video games,
relatively less attention has been paid to the positive effects of engaging in this activity. Video games in
health care provide ample examples of innovative ways to use existing commercial games for health
improvement or surgical training. Tailor-made games help patients be more adherent to treatment
regimens and train doctors how to manage patients in different clinical situations. In this review,
examples in the scientific literature of commercially available and tailor-made games used for education
and training with patients and medical students and doctors are summarized. There is a history of using
video games with patients from the early days of gaming in the 1980s, and this has evolved into a focus
on making tailor-made games for different disease groups, which have been evaluated in scientific trials
more recently. Commercial video games have been of interest regarding their impact on surgical skill.
More recently, some basic computer games have been developed and evaluated that train doctors in
clinical skills. The studies presented in this article represent a body of work outlining positive effects of
playing video games in the area of health care.
University Medical Center Utrech
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Abstract
Although a great deal of media attention has been given to the negative effects of playing video games,
relatively less attention has been paid to the positive effects of engaging in this activity. Video games in
health care provide ample examples of innovative ways to use existing commercial games for health
improvement or surgical training. Tailor-made games help patients be more adherent to treatment
regimens and train doctors how to manage patients in different clinical situations. In this review,
examples in the scientific literature of commercially available and tailor-made games used for education
and training with patients and medical students and doctors are summarized. There is a history of using
video games with patients from the early days of gaming in the 1980s, and this has evolved into a focus
on making tailor-made games for different disease groups, which have been evaluated in scientific trials
more recently. Commercial video games have been of interest regarding their impact on surgical skill.
More recently, some basic computer games have been developed and evaluated that train doctors in
clinical skills. The studies presented in this article represent a body of work outlining positive effects of
playing video games in the area of health care.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Energy expenditure in chronic stroke patients playing Wii Sports: a pilot study
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabililtation. 2011; 8: 38.
Published online 2011 July 14
Henri L Hurkmans, Gerard M Ribbers, Marjolein F Streur-Kranenburg, Henk J Stam, and Rita J van den Berg-Emons
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Published online 2011 July 14
Henri L Hurkmans, Gerard M Ribbers, Marjolein F Streur-Kranenburg, Henk J Stam, and Rita J van den Berg-Emons
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ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability in modern western countries. Stroke survivors often have functional limitations which might lead to a vicious circle of reduced physical activity, deconditioning and further physical deterioration. Current evidence suggests that routine moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity is essential for maintenance and improvement of health among stroke survivors. Nevertheless, long-term participation in physical activities is low among people with disabilities. Active video games, such as Nintendo Wii Sports, might maintain interest and improve long-term participation in physical activities; however, the intensity of physical activity among chronic stroke patients while playing Wii Sports is unknown. We investigated the energy expenditure of chronic stroke patients while playing Wii Sports tennis and boxing.
METHODS:
Ten chronic (≥ 6 months) stroke patients comprising a convenience sample, who were able to walk independently on level ground, were recruited from a rehabilitation centre. They were instructed to play Wii Sports tennis and boxing in random order for 15 minutes each, with a 10-minute break between games. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure oxygen uptake (VO2) during sitting and during Wii Sports game play. Energy expenditure was expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs), calculated as VO2 during Wii Sports divided by VO2 during sitting. We classified physical activity as moderate (3-6 METs) or vigorous (> 6 METs) according to the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association Guidelines.
RESULTS:
Among the 10 chronic stroke patients, 3 were unable to play tennis because they had problems with timing of hitting the ball, and 2 were excluded from the boxing group because of a technical problem with the portable gas analyzer. The mean (± SD) energy expenditure during Wii Sports game play was 3.7 (± 0.6) METs for tennis and 4.1 (± 0.7) METs for boxing. All 8 participants who played boxing and 6 of the 7 who played tennis attained energy expenditures > 3 METs.
CONCLUSIONS:
With the exception of one patient in the tennis group, chronic stroke patients played Wii Sports tennis and boxing at moderate-intensity, sufficient for maintaining and improving health in this population.
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Using Wii Fit to reduce fatigue among African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study
Lupus. 2011 Jun 23
Yuen H, Holthaus K, Kamen DL, Sword D, Breland HL.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
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Abstract
Fatigue and physical deconditioning are common, difficult to treat conditions among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based exercise program using the Wii Fit system in patients with SLE. Fifteen sedentary African American women with SLE experiencing moderate to severe fatigue participated in a home exercise program using the Wii Fit 3 days a week for 30 minutes each for 10 weeks. A one-group pretest-post test design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. Primary outcome measure was severity of fatigue. Secondary outcome measures were body weight, waist circumference, fatigue-related symptoms of distress, activity level, and physical fitness. At the completion of the 10-week Wii Fit exercise program, participants perceived fatigue severity as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale to be significantly decreased (p= 0.002), and body weight and waist circumference were significantly reduced (pp= 0.01). In addition, anxiety level, as measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and overall intensity of total pain experience, as measured by Short-form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, were also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Findings provide preliminary evidence that the Wii Fit motivates this population to exercise, which leads to alleviation of fatigue and reduced body weight, waist circumference, anxiety level, and overall intensity of total pain experience.
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Sunday, 6 March 2011
Metabolic responses to wii fit™ video games : March 2011
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2011 Mar;25(3):689-93.
Metabolic responses to wii fit™ video games at different game levels.
Worley JR, Rogers SN, Kraemer RR.
Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana
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From Pubmed
Abstract
-The Wii Fit™ is a form of interactive gaming designed to elicit health and fitness benefits to replace sedentary gaming.
This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of Wii Fit™ fitness games. The purpose of the study was to determine the %&OV0312;O2max and energy expenditure from different Wii Fit™ games at different levels including the step and hula games. Eight healthy young women completed a preliminary trial to determine &OV0312;O2max and later played the Wii Fit™ during 2 separate counterbalanced trials. During each session, subjects played levels of Wii Fit™ games for 10 minutes each level. One session involved beginning and intermediate hula, and the other session involved beginning and intermediate steps. The &OV0312;O2 was measured continuously via metabolic cart, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at the end of each game level. The lowest %&OV0312;O2max, kcal·min, and RPE occurred during the beginning step game and the highest values occurred during the intermediate hula game. Respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher in the intermediate hula than beginning hula game but was not significantly different between step game levels. The intermediate hula and step games produced the greatest energy expenditure with an equivalent effect of a walking speed of >5.63 km·h (>3.5 miles·h). This is the first study to determine the percentage of &OV0312;O2max and caloric expenditure elicited by different Wii Fit™ video games at different game levels in adults. Findings suggest that the Wii Fit™ can be used as an effective activity for promoting physical health in this population.
Link to Pubmed reference
Metabolic responses to wii fit™ video games at different game levels.
Worley JR, Rogers SN, Kraemer RR.
Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana
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From Pubmed
Abstract
-The Wii Fit™ is a form of interactive gaming designed to elicit health and fitness benefits to replace sedentary gaming.
This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of Wii Fit™ fitness games. The purpose of the study was to determine the %&OV0312;O2max and energy expenditure from different Wii Fit™ games at different levels including the step and hula games. Eight healthy young women completed a preliminary trial to determine &OV0312;O2max and later played the Wii Fit™ during 2 separate counterbalanced trials. During each session, subjects played levels of Wii Fit™ games for 10 minutes each level. One session involved beginning and intermediate hula, and the other session involved beginning and intermediate steps. The &OV0312;O2 was measured continuously via metabolic cart, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at the end of each game level. The lowest %&OV0312;O2max, kcal·min, and RPE occurred during the beginning step game and the highest values occurred during the intermediate hula game. Respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher in the intermediate hula than beginning hula game but was not significantly different between step game levels. The intermediate hula and step games produced the greatest energy expenditure with an equivalent effect of a walking speed of >5.63 km·h (>3.5 miles·h). This is the first study to determine the percentage of &OV0312;O2max and caloric expenditure elicited by different Wii Fit™ video games at different game levels in adults. Findings suggest that the Wii Fit™ can be used as an effective activity for promoting physical health in this population.
Link to Pubmed reference
Friday, 3 December 2010
Lessons learned: Staff perceptions of the Nintendo Wii as a health promotion tool within an aged-care and disability service.
Health promotion journal of Australia, 2010 Dec;21(3):189-95.
Higgins HC, Horton JK, Hodgkinson BC, Muggleton SB.
Blue Care, Milton, Queensland.
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Abstract
Issue addressed: Enhancing opportunities for all older people to be physically and mentally active is an imperative in our ageing society. Lessons learned from the use of the Nintendo Wii within Queensland agedcare and disability services were assembled through eliciting staff perceptions regarding the usefulness of Wii technology within their centres.
Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with direct care staff in 53 centres that had been using the Wii technology for at least three months. Content analysis of interview data identified the major response patterns raised by staff.
Results: Staff noted that Wii activities were easy to master for more able clients and that there was minimal risk to clients. Staff reported that these activities provided health promoting physical benefits (mobility, range of motion, dexterity, coordination, distraction from pain) and psychosocial gains (social engagement, self-esteem, mastery, ability to pacify challenging behaviours) and were a useful adjunct to other care practices within these aged-care and disabilities services.
Conclusions: Staff believed that Wii activities provided purposeful and meaningful opportunities to promote wellbeing for aged and disabled clients within an aged-care and disability service. However, Wii activities were less successful with clients who had significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities.
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Higgins HC, Horton JK, Hodgkinson BC, Muggleton SB.
Blue Care, Milton, Queensland.
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Abstract
Issue addressed: Enhancing opportunities for all older people to be physically and mentally active is an imperative in our ageing society. Lessons learned from the use of the Nintendo Wii within Queensland agedcare and disability services were assembled through eliciting staff perceptions regarding the usefulness of Wii technology within their centres.
Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with direct care staff in 53 centres that had been using the Wii technology for at least three months. Content analysis of interview data identified the major response patterns raised by staff.
Results: Staff noted that Wii activities were easy to master for more able clients and that there was minimal risk to clients. Staff reported that these activities provided health promoting physical benefits (mobility, range of motion, dexterity, coordination, distraction from pain) and psychosocial gains (social engagement, self-esteem, mastery, ability to pacify challenging behaviours) and were a useful adjunct to other care practices within these aged-care and disabilities services.
Conclusions: Staff believed that Wii activities provided purposeful and meaningful opportunities to promote wellbeing for aged and disabled clients within an aged-care and disability service. However, Wii activities were less successful with clients who had significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities.
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Feasibility of congestive heart failure telemanagement using a wii-based telecare platform.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC)
2010 Annual International Conference of the IEEE 2010;1:2211-4.
Finkelstein J, Wood J, Cha E, Orlov A, Dennison C.
Chronic Disease Informatics Program, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
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Abstract
A gaming platform has been used to implement a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) system for chronic disease management in the patient's home. The system questions patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) to monitor symptoms, weight changes, and quality of life while educating the patient on their disease. The system is designed to run on the Nintendo Wii videogame console using an active internet connection and the console's built in internet browser. It questions the patient daily on their condition, monitors their weight, and provides the patient with instant feedback on their condition in the form of a 3 zone CHF action plan. The system is designed to be as simple as possible, making it usable by patients with no prior computer or videogame experience. This telemanagement system has been successfully designed and implemented to optimize the care of patients with CHF.
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2010 Annual International Conference of the IEEE 2010;1:2211-4.
Finkelstein J, Wood J, Cha E, Orlov A, Dennison C.
Chronic Disease Informatics Program, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
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Abstract
A gaming platform has been used to implement a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) system for chronic disease management in the patient's home. The system questions patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) to monitor symptoms, weight changes, and quality of life while educating the patient on their disease. The system is designed to run on the Nintendo Wii videogame console using an active internet connection and the console's built in internet browser. It questions the patient daily on their condition, monitors their weight, and provides the patient with instant feedback on their condition in the form of a 3 zone CHF action plan. The system is designed to be as simple as possible, making it usable by patients with no prior computer or videogame experience. This telemanagement system has been successfully designed and implemented to optimize the care of patients with CHF.
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Wednesday, 21 July 2010
A GAME A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY: A SHORT REVIEW OF COMPUTER GAMES IN MENTAL HEALTHCARE (2008)
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A Game A Day Keeps the Doctor Away: A Short Review of Computer Games in Mental Healthcare
by: Luciano Gamberini, Giacinto Barres, Alice Majer, and Fabiola Scarpetta
Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation,
Summer 2008, Volume 1, Issue 2 pages 127 – 145
A Game A Day Keeps the Doctor Away: A Short Review of Computer Games in Mental Healthcare
by: Luciano Gamberini, Giacinto Barres, Alice Majer, and Fabiola Scarpetta
Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation,
Summer 2008, Volume 1, Issue 2 pages 127 – 145
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To be certain, the study was performed by a very accomplished group of researchers. The lead author, Tom Baranowski of Baylor College, is one of the most widely published researchers of health games. And this was a very well-designed study, printed in the foremost journal on children's health. Nevertheless, the study should not be read to mean that games can't affect physical activity and can't have a positive impact on public health. That's because it didn't account for the most influential factor in a health game's impact -- its design.
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