Motion-based video games may help children exercise

Physically-interactive video games, such as sports played on the Nintendo Wii, may be a viable exercise option for children, finds a new study published in the March 7 edition of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts worked with 39 Boston pre-teens, who participated in the study twice a week, either playing a motion-based video game (exergame) or walking on a treadmill at three miles per hour.

They found the exergames provided a workout that was at least comparable to walking, with some games using up even more energy.

The study, however, was limited in scope, with a small sample size and measurements taken for only ten minutes at a time. Use of the video games also tends to taper off after the first few weeks when children are left to do them at home, but they may prove useful as part of a balanced exercise regimen.

"Although exergaming is most likely not the solution to the epidemic of reduced physical activity in children, it appears to be a potentially innovative strategy that can be used to reduce sedentary time, increase adherence to exercise programs, and promote enjoyment of physical activity," the study authors concluded.