Energy Cost of Children's Structured and Unstructured Games

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Human Metabolism
• Physical Activity Research

Background:

• Limited data exist on the energy expenditure of common children's games.
• Accurate measurement of physical activity energy cost is crucial for understanding childhood energy balance.
• Existing compendia may not fully represent the metabolic demands of contemporary youth activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the energy cost of various structured and unstructured children's games.
• To provide updated metabolic data for the youth compendium of physical activities.
• To determine the intensity (METs) of common childhood activities.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven children (10.6 ± 2.9 years) performed 11 structured and unstructured activities.
• Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured using a portable metabolic unit.
• Activity energy expenditure was calculated relative to resting metabolic rate (RMR).

Main Results:

• Relative VO2 varied significantly across activities, from 16.8 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min (bowling) to 32.2 ± 6.8 ml/kg/min (obstacle course).
• Vigorous intensity activities (>6 METs) included obstacle course, relays, active kickball, soccer, and clothespin tag.
• Moderate intensity activities (3-6 METs) included basketball, juggling, catch, and tennis.

Conclusions:

• This study provides novel energy expenditure data for common children's games.
• Findings contribute to the expansion and updating of the youth compendium of physical activities.
• The data can inform physical activity guidelines and energy balance assessments for children.