Examining Energy Expenditure in Youth Using XBOX Kinect: Differences by Player Mode

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Pediatric Health
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Sedentary behavior in youth is a growing concern.
• Exergames, like XBOX Kinect, offer a novel approach to increase physical activity.
• Understanding energy expenditure during exergaming is crucial for intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare energy expenditure in youth playing exergames in single-player versus multiplayer modes.
• To investigate the influence of player mode on energy expenditure during XBOX Kinect gameplay.
• To analyze differences in energy expenditure based on weight status during exergaming.

Main Methods:

• Forty participants (26 male, 14 female), aged 10-13 years, were recruited.
• Energy expenditure was measured using a portable metabolic analyzer during 15-minute gameplay sessions.
• Four XBOX Kinect games (2 single-player, 2 multiplayer) were played, with repeated-measures ANOVA used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher energy expenditure was observed in multiplayer mode (16.8 ml/kg/min) compared to single-player mode (15.4 ml/kg/min).
• Overweight and obese participants expended less energy (13.7 ml/kg/min) than normal-weight participants (17.8 ml/kg/min) during multiplayer mode.
• Weight status significantly impacted energy expenditure, particularly in multiplayer settings.

Conclusions:

• Player mode is a significant factor influencing energy expenditure during exergaming.
• Individual factors, such as weight status, should be considered when designing exergaming interventions.
• Exergames present a viable tool for promoting physical activity, with multiplayer modes potentially offering greater energy expenditure benefits.