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

Using Kinect to Help The Visually Impaired

Two graduate students from Germany hacked into a Kinect game controller to create a auditory and vibrational device to help guide the visually impaired. It may look bulky but it is super cool! View it in action below.