Title |
Couch potatoes to jumping beans: A pilot study of the effect of active video games on physical activity in children
|
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Published in |
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, January 2008
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DOI | 10.1186/1479-5868-5-8 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Ralph Maddison, Yannan Jiang, Andrew Jull, Harry Prapavessis, Anthony Rodgers |
Abstract |
The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of active video games on children's physical activity levels.Twenty children (mean +/- SD age = 12 +/- 1.5 years; 40% female) were randomised to receive either an active video game upgrade package or to a control group (no intervention). Effects on physical activity over the 12-week intervention period were measured using objective (Actigraph accelerometer) and subjective (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children [PAQ-C]) measures. An activity log was used to estimate time spent playing active and non-active video games.Children in the intervention group spent less mean time over the total 12-week intervention period playing all video games compared to those in the control group (54 versus 98 minutes/day [difference = -44 minutes/day, 95% CI [-92, 2]], p = 0.06). Average time spent in all physical activities measured with an accelerometer was higher in the active video game intervention group compared to the control group (difference at 6 weeks = 194 counts/min, p = 0.04, and at 12 weeks = 48 counts/min, p = 0.06).This preliminary study suggests that playing active video games on a regular basis may have positive effects on children's overall physical activity levels. Further research is needed to confirm if playing these games over a longer period of time could also have positive effects on children's body weight and body mass index. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 10 | 4% |
Portugal | 3 | 1% |
Spain | 3 | 1% |
Australia | 2 | <1% |
France | 1 | <1% |
Hong Kong | 1 | <1% |
Brazil | 1 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
Germany | 1 | <1% |
Other | 4 | 2% |
Unknown | 216 | 89% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 47 | 19% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 41 | 17% |
Student > Bachelor | 35 | 14% |
Researcher | 30 | 12% |
Professor > Associate Professor | 15 | 6% |
Other | 44 | 18% |
Unknown | 31 | 13% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Sports and Recreations | 43 | 18% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 36 | 15% |
Computer Science | 34 | 14% |
Social Sciences | 24 | 10% |
Psychology | 21 | 9% |
Other | 44 | 18% |
Unknown | 41 | 17% |