Motivation and Physiologic Responses of Playing a Physically Interactive Video Game Relative to a Sedentary Alternative in Children

• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-010-9164-x
• Publication Date: 2010-02-18T17:12:06Z
• Authors: Amanda L. Penko; Jacob E. Barkley
• Keywords: Male; Motivation; Walking; Motor Activity; Overweight; Body Mass Index; 03 medical and health sciences; Oxygen Consumption; 0302 clinical medicine; Video Games; Heart Rate; Humans; Female; Sedentary Behavior; Child

While there is emerging research outlining the physiologic cost of the physically interactive Nintendo Wii, there are no evaluations of the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of the Wii versus a sedentary alternative.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physiologic cost, RRV, and liking of playing Wii Sports Boxing (Wii) versus a traditional sedentary video game (SVG) in 11 lean and 13 overweight/obese 8- to 12-year-old children.Heart rate (HR) and VO(2) were assessed during rest, treadmill walking, and playing an SVG and Wii using a counterbalance design. Liking was assessed during treadmill walking and video game play. RRV was assessed for Wii versus SVG.Average HR, VO(2), and liking were significantly greater for Nintendo Wii (p < or = 0.001 for all) than all other conditions. Lean children displayed a greater (p < 0.001) peak responding for access to Wii relative to the SVG while overweight/obese children did not (p > or = 0.16).Wii was a well-liked activity of greater physiologic intensity than both the SVG and treadmill walking. Lean children were more motivated while overweight/obese children were equally as motivated to play Wii relative to the SVG.