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CHILDREN'S MOVEMENT SKILLS WHEN PLAYING ACTIVE VIDEO GAMES.
Ryan M Hulteen1, Tara M Johnson2, Nicola D Ridgers3
11 Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Active video games (AVGs) show some skill improvement in children. However, children performed skills more accurately during direct assessment than during AVG play.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical activity
- Motor skill development
- Interactive technology in sports
Background:
- Active video games (AVGs) offer potential for physical activity and skill practice.
- Understanding the efficacy of AVGs for skill acquisition in children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate children's movement skill execution during AVG play (Xbox Kinect™).
- To compare skill performance in AVGs versus traditional skill assessment.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen children (mean age 7.9 years) were assessed for movement skills.
- Skills were evaluated before and during a 6-week period of weekly AVG play (50 minutes/session).
- Skill execution was observed during gameplay and a separate skill assessment.
Main Results:
- Children demonstrated some correct skill execution (30-50%) in AVGs like table tennis, tennis, and baseball.
- Skill performance was consistently higher during formal skill assessment (over 50%) compared to AVG play.
- Evidence suggests AVGs engage specific skills, but not always with optimal execution.
Conclusions:
- AVGs may provide a foundation for practicing certain movement skills.
- Direct skill assessment remains superior for evaluating precise motor skill execution in children.
- Further research is needed to optimize AVGs for enhancing real-world movement skills.
