Playing computer games can 'burn up calories'
22 February 2007
LJMU research suggests that playing computer games may not be as bad for your health as once thought
A study carried out by LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has found that playing computer games can contribute to the daily activity recommendations for children.
The research, compared activity levels reached during gaming using the motion-sensor controlled Wii home console from Nintendo with those achieved using traditional seated joy pad controlled consoles.
The results indicate that more active forms of gaming, promoted by consoles such as the Wii, increased energy expenditure to a level that, if sustained, could help shift 27lbs in weight over a year.
The study of a sample of 5 girls and 7 boys aged between 13-15 years old comes amidst the ongoing debate surrounding children's health in relation to gaming, obesity and lack of physical activity. The three key measures tracked throughout the study were levels of energy expenditure, calories burned and heart rate across both an active and inactive console format.
During 15 minutes of play using a traditional joypad operated console, energy expenditure increased above resting values by an average 60%. In comparison, when using the Wii console, where the player uses body movements to control the game, the participants' energy expenditure increased 156% above resting.
Based on the average gaming week of 12.2 hours, this translates to a potential 1,830 calories burned per week when using Wii, 40% more than when using a traditional format console. In both conditions the energy expenditure of boys was greater than that observed for girls.
Heart rates were also much greater when using the active console, reaching values of 130 beats per minute, compared with 85 beats per minute for the traditional console.
Professor Tim Cable said:
"Through our testing it is clear that the motion sensor controlled console can make an impact on a child's heart rate, energy expenditure and the amount of calories burned. Research from GameVision's Consumer Intelligence Report shows that on average gamers in the UK currently spend around 12.2 hours a week playing computer games.
"Therefore it is important to promote as much activity as possible during this time. Active consoles such as the Wii could provide a means of motivating children who are less active. However, parents should encourage other physical activities and outdoor pursuits in order for their children to lead well balanced lives.
"The results indicate that the motion sensor technology used with the Wii can accurately simulate the real movements found in sports, such as boxing and tennis, which can consequently provide positive health benefits, providing the activity is carried out over a prolonged period. In addition the children found the activity-promoting console exciting to play and particularly enjoyed the sensation of performing movements that were very similar to those used when playing the real sports."
