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Only lower limb controlled interactive computer gaming enables an effective increase in energy expenditure

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Abstract

Limited research documents if new and existing interactive computer gaming “exergaming” increase energy expenditure and cardio-respiratory costs comparable to common exercise modalities. To address this, healthy male volunteers (n = 15) completed six by 12-min test elements: PlayStation2 (PS2hand), Nintendo Wii boxing, walk at 5.6 km h−1, cycle at 120 W, playing an adapted lower limb controlled PS2 (PS2limb) and run at 9.6 km h−1. In addition, they played PS2limb for 30 min and performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests, P < 0.05 inferred significance. PS2limb increased energy expenditure (EE) and post-exercise blood lactate (BLa) significantly higher (P < 0.001) than PS2hand, Wii gaming or walking at 5.6 km h−1 (EE: 30.3 ± 4.9 vs. 4.7 ± 1.1, 22.0 ± 6.1 and 17.9 ± 1.9 kJ h−1 kg−1; BLa: 2.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3, 1.8 ± 0.8 and 0.9 ± 0.2 mmol L−1), playing the PS2limb raised mean EE over six times greater than PS2hand. Mean fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates during the 9- to 12-min period playing the PS2limb were five and ten times greater than PS2hand (0.25 ± 0.10 vs. 0.05 ± 0.10, 1.69 ± 0.52 vs. 0.15 ± 0.14 g min−1, respectively). PS2limb met ACSM guidelines for cardiovascular fitness; however, current Wii technology failed. In conclusion, gaming interactive technology must be adapted or designed to include the lower limbs in order to provide a significant exercise stimulus.

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Acknowledgments

The authors confirm that the conduct of this study complied fully with current Irish legislation and with full ethical approval from the Faculty of Health Sciences ethics committee in Trinity College Dublin.

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The authors declare they have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Correspondence to Mark Jordan.

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Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Jordan, M., Donne, B. & Fletcher, D. Only lower limb controlled interactive computer gaming enables an effective increase in energy expenditure. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 1465–1472 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1773-3

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