 |
|
Research Finds Active Video Games a Good Alternative for Kids
July 17, 2009Oklahoma City, OK -- OKLAHOMA CITY - Scientists at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found that playing active video games can be as effective for children as moderate exercise. The findings appear this week in the journal Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
While OU pediatricians don't recommend children stop playing outside or exercising, the research shows that active video games offer a great alternative to moderate exercise for many children of today's generation who are sedentary and at high risk for obesity and diabetes.
"These exer-games are no substitute for 'real' sports activities, but if kids play them as designed and stay engaged, they can burn several calories per hour above their sedentary level. We view any increase in energy expenditure (calories burned) as a good thing, especially in our overly-sedentary society," said Kevin Short, Ph.D., principal investigator on the project.
To test the idea, researchers measured the heart rate, energy expenditure and self-reported exertion in children between ages 10-13 while they watched television, played active video games and walked on the treadmill at three different speeds.
Compared to watching television, the calories burned while gaming or walking increased 2- to 3-fold. Similarly, high rates of energy expenditure, heart rate and perceived exertion were elicited from playing Wii boxing, Dance Dance Revolution Level 2 or walking at 3.5 mph.
Wii bowling and beginner level DDR elicited a 2-fold increase in energy expenditure compared to television watching.
Overall, the energy expenditure during active video game play was comparable to moderate-intensity walking. Thus, for children who spend considerable time playing electronic screen games for entertainment, OU researchers found that substituting that time with physically active games can be a safe, fun and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure.
The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Children's Medical Research Institute, can be found online in Pediatrics at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2008-2851v1
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
To test the idea, researchers measured the heart rate, energy expenditure and self-reported exertion in children between ages 10-13 while they watched television, played active video games and walked on the treadmill at three different speeds.
Compared to watching television, the calories burned while gaming or walking increased 2- to 3-fold. Similarly, high rates of energy expenditure, heart rate and perceived exertion were elicited from playing Wii boxing, Dance Dance Revolution Level 2 or walking at 3.5 mph.
Wii bowling and beginner level DDR elicited a 2-fold increase in energy expenditure compared to television watching.
Overall, the energy expenditure during active video game play was comparable to moderate-intensity walking. Thus, for children who spend considerable time playing electronic screen games for entertainment, OU researchers found that substituting that time with physically active games can be a safe, fun and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure.
The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Children's Medical Research Institute, can be found online in Pediatrics at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2008-2851v1
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Video Games Current Events and Video Games News RSSPuberty a gateway to heart disease for Canada's teens
A seven-year ongoing study examining over 20,000 Canadian grade 9 students shows most already have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, Dr. Brian McCrindle told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.
Iowa State study finds high volume video gamers have more difficulty staying attentive
Parents have long lectured their children about the mind-numbing effects of playing video games all day. And a new Iowa State University study has found that high volume action video game players -- those who play around 40 hours per week -- actually had more difficulty keeping focused on tasks requiring longer, more proactive attention than those who played video games less than a couple of hours a week.
Fewer hikers means less support for conservation, study says
Serious hikers and backpackers tend to become supporters of environmental and conservation groups while casual woodland tourists do not, a new study says -- and a recent fall-off in strenuous outdoor endeavors portends a coming decline in the ranks of conservation backers.
Rome was built in a day, with hundreds of thousands of digital photos
The ancient city of Rome was not built in a day. It took nearly a decade to build the Colosseum, and almost a century to construct St. Peter's Basilica. But now the city, including these landmarks, can be digitized in just a matter of hours.
Paper Offers 'How-To' Guide for Protecting Entrepreneurs' Big Ideas
Successful entrepreneurs turn big ideas into successful business opportunities, but how should they protect those ideas? A new paper from North Carolina State University offers a "how-to" guide on intellectual property protection, laying out the options for budding entrepreneurs as they consider how to move forward.
Child's play may revolutionize video gaming, police work
What do hide-and-seek, police searches and video games such as Half-Life 2 have in common? More than you would think, say two University of Alberta researchers.
New study finds links between video-game playing and health risks in adults
While video gaming is generally perceived as a pastime for children and young adults, research shows that the average age of players in the United States is 35.
Parents can help stop the obesity epidemic, says psychologist
Childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 40 years, which may mean today's children become the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, a leading obesity expert told the American Psychological Association on Saturday.
Educate yourself to boost achievement in kids
With school days just around the corner, a University of Michigan researcher has some advice for parents who want to increase their children's academic success.
Video game minority report: Lots of players, few characters
If the future of entertainment is interactive media, some minorities are still headed back to the past.
More Video Games Current Events and Video Games News Articles
 |
New Super Mario Bros by Nintendo Brand new and Sealed Nintendo Wii Game. Backed by a 45-day guarantee. |
 |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Activision Inc. Acclaimed developer Infinity Ward brings you Modern Warfare 2, the sequel to the best-selling shooter of all-time, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. |
 |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Activision Inc. Acclaimed developer Infinity Ward brings you Modern Warfare 2, the sequel to the best-selling shooter of all-time, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. |
 |
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves by Sony Computer Entertainment Nathan Drake returns in the sequel to one of the PS3's most successful exclusive games. This time, Nate teams up with new and old friends in a quest to find the mythical Cintamani Stone that Marco Polo had secretly gone looking for before returning home with only one ship and 18 men. Explore a variety of environments from dense cities to swamps to the Himalayas, mixing shooting with free-roaming adventure. And using PlayStationNetwork, you can even enjoy co-operative or competitive multiplayer modes. |
 |
Wii Sports Resort by Nintendo Brand new and Sealed Nintendo Wii Game. Backed by a 45-day guarantee. |
 |
Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel by Nintendo Start your engines and race with Mario and his friends with their finely tuned racing machines in Mario Kart Wii. Use 3 different control styles with the Wii Wheel included in the box. The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks, and ways to play. Mario Kart Wii draws on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series - not to mention tons of new ones. The true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned. Experience new tracks, enhanced Wii graphics, extraordinary gameplay and much more. Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. You can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas. Now you can feel like you are Mario and steering to avoid... |
 |
Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story by Nintendo Mario & Luigi Bowsers Story DS |
 |
Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues by Lucas Arts Entertainment LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues combines the fun and creative construction of LEGO bricks with the wits, daring and non-stop action of one of cinema’s most beloved adventure heroes. With a unique, tongue-in-cheek take on all the Indiana Jones films – including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – LEGO Indiana Jones 2 follows Dr. Jones’ escapades from the jungles of South America to the Peruvian Ruins and beyond. Fans can experience the most authentic LEGO experience yet by designing and building their own levels brick by brick, and by fusing their levels with the ones in the game to create a custom experience. In LEGO Indiana Jones 2, everyone can build, battle and brawl their way through their favorite cinematic moments – or... |
 |
Left 4 Dead 2 by Electronic Arts Left 4 Dead 2 is set at roughly the same time as the original - just after the outbreak that turned most of the population into various zombie mutants. Players assume the role of 4 new "Survivors," each with their own personality and new dialog. The game leads these "Survivors" through the southeastern region of the US - from Savannah, Georgia thru the bayou country, and climaxing in New Orleans' French Quarter. |
 |
Halo 3: ODST by Microsoft Halo 3: ODST for Xbox 360...Halo 3: ODST is a new game in the Halo saga that lets people experience events leading up to the epic story told in Halo 3 through the eyes of an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) as they search for clues leading to the whereabouts of their scattered squad and the motivations behind the Covenant's invasion of New Mombasa. The release adds a new dimension to an all-encompassing universe that gamers around the world have known and loved for close to eight years. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |