Active video games provide alternative workout
Study shows exergaming has positive health effects for people who don't
want to hit the gym

Date:
March 22, 2022
Source:
University of Georgia
Summary:
Working out isn't known for being fun. But new active video and
virtual reality games may help change that. Exergaming, or active
video gaming, may be the perfect introduction to helping people
be more active, according to new research.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Working out isn't known for being fun. But new active video and virtual
reality games may help change that.


========================================================================== Exergaming, or active video gaming, may be the perfect introduction
to helping people be more active, according to new research from the
University of Georgia.

Just about anyone can find an exergame to match their interests. Dance
Dance Revolution, EA Sports Active and Beat Saber are some of the more
popular exergames. Active gaming options exist for most gaming consoles,
like Xbox and Nintendo. And previous research has shown that exergaming
can have physical benefits, particularly when it takes the place of
traditional sedentary video gaming.

This study showed that exergamers felt high levels of satisfaction and
a sense of autonomy over their exercise regimen.

"When an individual feels autonomous, they're more likely to exercise
or exergame on their own," said Sami Yli-Piipari, co-author of the study
and an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the Mary
Frances Early College of Education. "They feel ownership over what they
are doing, and they're doing it for themselves, so it's more likely they
will keep up the activity." Traditional exercise, such as weightlifting
or running, doesn't appeal to some people. But they might be open to
active video gaming because it doesn't seem like exercise. It's just fun.



==========================================================================
That desire to play might help people dip their toes in physical activity without the pressures or boredom that sometimes come with heading to the
gym, said Yongju Hwang, corresponding author of the study and doctoral
student in kinesiology.

Exergaming can serve as introduction to increased physical activity
Published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,
the study followed 55 people whose daily physical activity was below
the recommended 150 minutes per week.

Participants were randomly assigned to either exergame or participate in traditional aerobics classes three times a week for six weeks. Exergamers
could choose from a variety of games including Just Dance, Kinect Sports
and Zumba Fitness World Party over the course of the study.

The study measured physical activity and exertion during the exercise
sessions with accelerometers, heart rate monitors and a scale that
measures how hard participants believed they were working out. The
researchers also used a variety of scales to assess participants'
enjoyment of their workouts and their motivation for working out, among
other things.



==========================================================================
The individuals assigned to the traditional classes worked out harder
than their counterparts in the exergaming group. The supportive group environment of these types of classes has been shown to encourage people
to give their all and holds them accountable for showing up.

"That makes sense because you probably will push yourself harder if
somebody is looking over your shoulder rather than playing a game alone," Yli-Piipari said.

But the exergamers had a better time. And that, coupled with a sense
of ownership over their exercise routine, makes it more likely that
they'll keep it up and possibly be more open to other physical activity
in the future.

"I see exergaming and technology-enhanced exercise as a stepping
stone," Yli- Piipari said. "It's the first step in the right direction, especially for people who are not involved in any kind of exercise."
Use video games to decrease sedentary time But active video games and
their positive health effects aren't just for adults.

Exergames are also an easy way for parents to increase their children's physical activity, the researchers said.

"When you are buying games for your children or for yourself, try to
buy games that have some activity in them," Yli-Piipari said. "If you
try to force your children to be active, they may do it because you're
telling them to. But the likelihood they continue to be active when you
turn your back is low." For kids and many adults, playing a video game
doesn't feel like exercise.

"We forget sometimes that it's really hard for inactive people to
take that first step," Yli-Piipari said. "These games may be able to
address that problem." The study was co-authored by YangYang Deng, a
graduate student in kinesiology; Mika Manninen, a doctoral graduate and Fulbright Scholar from the Department of Kinesiology; Sophie Waller,
a doctoral student in kinesiology; Ellen Evans, associate dean for
research and graduate education for the Mary Frances Early College of
Education and director of UGA's Center for Physical Activity and Health; Michael Schmidt, associate professor of kinesiology; and Senlin Chen,
of Louisiana State University.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Georgia. Original
written by Leigh Beeson.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Yongju Hwang, Yangyang Deng, Mika Manninen, Sophie Waller, Ellen M.

Evans, Michael D. Schmidt, Senlin Chen, Sami Yli-Piipari. Short-
and longer-term psychological and behavioral effects of exergaming
and traditional aerobic training: A randomized controlled trial.

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2022;
1 DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2021.2025135 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220322122546.htm

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