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The effect of exergaming on vascular function in children
Andrew Mills1, Michael Rosenberg, Gareth Stratton
1School of Sport Science, Exercise, and Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 21, 2013
Summary
High-intensity exergaming significantly increased heart rate and energy expenditure in children, impacting arterial function. Low-intensity exergaming did not show these effects, suggesting potential for high-intensity exergaming in promoting vascular health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Endothelial Function
Background:
- Exergaming combines video games with physical activity.
- Assessing exergaming's impact on children's cardiovascular health is crucial.
- Understanding acute effects on arterial function informs long-term benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate exergaming's effects on heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in healthy children.
- To compare high-intensity exergaming (HiE) with low-intensity exergaming (LoE).
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthy children (mean age 10.1 years) participated.
- Children engaged in two 15-minute exergaming sessions: HiE (hurdles) and LoE (bowling).
- HR, EE, and brachial artery FMD were measured before and after each session.
Main Results:
- HiE resulted in significantly higher HR and EE compared to LoE.
- FMD decreased significantly after HiE, but not after LoE.
- Children reported similar enjoyment levels for both HiE and LoE.
Conclusions:
- High-intensity exergaming elicits substantial cardiovascular and metabolic responses in children.
- Acute HiE exergaming influences vascular function, potentially contributing to arterial adaptations.
- Exergaming intensity is a key factor in determining physiological and vascular responses.
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