Active Video Gaming and Children with CP

Physical Therapy has published research on exercise intensity levels in children with cerebral palsy while using active video games. Ten children with spastic cerebral palsy were age matched with their peers and participated for 40 minutes in 4 active video games - jogging, bicycling, snowboarding and skiing.  Heart rates were recorded as well as lower extremity motion analysis during the last part of jogging and bicycling.  The following results were recorded:

• no difference between the groups for any variables
• jogging game produced larger range of motion in the lower extremities compared to the bicycling game
• more than 50% of the playing time for the jogging game and more than 30% of the playing time for the bicycling game were spent at an intensity greater than 40% of heart rate reserve

The researchers concluded that children with cerebral palsy were able to obtain exercise-related benefits similar to those obtained by children without CP while playing with an active video game console. Reference: Maxime Robert et al. Exercise Intensity Levels in Children With Cerebral Palsy While Playing With an Active Video Game Console. PHYS THER August 2013 93:1084-1091; published ahead of print April 11, 2013, doi:10.2522/ptj.20120204

Active Videogaming and Children

A recent study in the Journal of Pediatrics indicated the benefits of exergaming for children.  The researchers studied 15 children, ages 9-11 years old, participating in high intensity exergaming, low intensity exergaming and a graded exercise test on a treadmill.  The results indicated the following:

• high intensity exergaming (Kinect hurdles) was equivalent to moderate intensity exercise
• low intensity exergaming (Kinect bowling) was equivalent to low intensity exercise
• high intensity exergaming significantly reduced flow mediated dilation (vascular response) 
• high intensity gaming increased heart rate and the amount of energy burned.

Reference:  Andrew Mills, BSc, Michael Rosenberg, PhD, Gareth Stratton, PhD, Howard H. Carter, BSc, Angela L. Spence, BSc, Christopher JA Pugh, PhD, Daniel J. Green, PhD, and Louise H. Naylor, PhD. "The Effect of Exergaming on Vascular Function in Children," The Journal of Pediatrics, DOI 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.03.076