A dance video game can help overweight kids burn calories and get their hearts pumping faster, but it's not clear that this sort of workout is enough to help them lose weight and become more fit.
The popular video game, Dance Revolution, consists of a game pad with sensor arrows, which the player child stands on while the screen gives instructions on where to step, in rhythm with the music.
Dr V. B. Unnithan of Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK and colleagues set out to determine whether playing the dance video game would be beneficial to obese and normal-weight children, especially given that heavier and less-fit kids expend more energy when they do weight-bearing exercise than their normal weight, more active peers.
The researchers tested the game's cardio respiratory effects in 10 overweight and 12 normal-weight boys and girls aged 10 to 17. All played the game at its lowest-intensity "workout" mode.
The heavier kids used more oxygen and energy while playing the game than did their non-overweight peers.
Comments
Comments are closed.