Video Games and Positive Health Behaviors: Testing the Effectiveness of Wii Physical Activity Games on Children’s Enjoyment and Exertion

• In Event: Learning From (and With) Video Games I

Abstract

Although previous studies have found that exercise and sporting video games increase physical activity and physical exertion in children compared to sedentary games, limited empirical evidence exists examining energy expenditure based on the type of game played. Furthermore, limited empirical evidence exists documenting the relationship between energy expenditure and enjoyment of fitness and sports games using devices such as the Wii. The present pilot study investigated children and adolescents’ perceived enjoyment, perceived exertion, and actual exertion while playing three Wii fitness/sports games. Results indicate that all Wii games significantly increased participants’ energy expenditure. Heart rate change in the running game was positively correlated with self-reported enjoyment, and enjoyment in real-world exercise was positively correlated with enjoyment in running. Findings from the study also have practical application in that schools and families can look to gaming devices like the Wii to help children become more physically active. With decreases in funding in physical education, gaming devices like the Wii could be one solution to help keep schoolchildren active.

Authors

• Bijie Bie, University of Alabama

• Xueying Zhang, The University of Alabama

• Lindsey Conlin, The University of Alabama

• Dylan M. McLemore, University of Alabama

• Kimberly Bissell, U of Alabama

• Scott Parrott, University of Alabama/UNC Chapel Hill