Exergames

A new study has come out that looks at how active video games, “Exergames” help kids burn more calories.  Many children spend hours in front of the TV or computer, and spend less time outdoors, playing and being active.  With these exergames, it seems like both can be done at once, making it seem more enjoyable to the children. With childhood obesity rates continuing to rise, this, although not a solution, is a good start.

I found some interesting findings from the study and the article it was found in, including:

• Researchers compared the energy required to play those games or walk on a treadmill at a speed of 3 miles per hour to energy expended at rest.
• Researchers found that exergames increased the amount of calories each child burned 400% to 800% over their resting metabolic rate, an amount that was at least as good as treadmill walking.
• Although all the kids said they had fun, the kids with the highest BMIs were the ones who reported liking exergames the most.
• Though exergames have the potential to get kids up and moving, they can pose a quandary for parents. These are not a substitute for being outside, riding a bike, being on the soccer field
• Spending time outdoors is the strongest correlate of physical activity among pre-school aged children.
• The key is to help parents think of exergames as an alternative that offers variety rather than being a replacement for other forms of physical activity

Although I have never really played very many of these exergames, and don’t exactly love them, I think it is pretty cool that these exergames can have such high positive results (that is, if played correctly and fully).  I would have to agree with what the researchers stated at the end of the article, that this is NOT a replacement for physical activity, especially outdoor physical activity. It can be used effectively to complement daily physical activity, or be used as an alternative, but not every day.