Kids Can Get a Workout Playing Exergames

Most video games promote obesity by encouraging sedentary activity, but some video games incorporate physical activity. Can children playing these so-called “exergames” exercise at moderate (3–6 metabolic equivalent tasks [METs]) or vigorous (≥6 METs) intensity? To find out, researchers in Massachusetts evaluated the effects of playing exergames in 19 boys and 20 girls (age range, 9–13 years; 54% overweight or obese).

Physical activity intensity, measured during 10 minutes of exergaming by indirect calorimetry, ranged from moderate to vigorous (mean, 4.2–7.2 METs) for the six video games (Dance Dance Revolution, Nintendo Wii Boxing, Xavix J-Mat, LightSpace, Cybex Trazer, and Sportwall). Mean energy expenditure at rest and while walking on a …