In an age dominated by technology, where sedentary lifestyles are becoming the norm, the search for engaging and effective physical activities has never been more critical. Active video games (AVG) have emerged as a promising solution, offering a fun and interactive way to combat inactivity. These video games, which incorporate physical movement as part of the gameplay, provide an innovative alternative to traditional forms of exercise. While previous research has hinted at their potential, the specific effects of AVG on cardiovascular health have remained somewhat unclear.
Understanding the Study Design
The research involved eight university students, who participated in a pre-experimental study designed to assess both acute and chronic cardiovascular responses to AVG. The participants were asked to engage in 30-minute sessions of Nike Kinect Training®, an AVG that uses the Kinect motion-sensing system to create a highly interactive workout. The sessions were conducted twice a week over the course of four weeks, with each session performed at a moderate intensity of 64% of the participant’s heart rate reserve. Throughout the study, the researchers closely monitored cardiovascular responses by measuring heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) before, immediately after, and at intervals of 10, 20, and 30 minutes following each session.
The purpose was to assess the immediate effects of a single AVG session, as well as the chronic effects over the 4-week intervention period.
Results and Findings
While the single-session analysis did not show a significant post-exercise hypotension (PEH) response, which is typically characterized by a drop in blood pressure following exercise, the results revealed several noteworthy trends. In some sessions, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed reductions. Specifically, in three out of the eight sessions, SBP decreased by 6.6–9.0 mm Hg, and in two sessions, DBP decreased by 4.5–5.5 mm Hg. While these reductions were not consistent across all sessions, they indicate that AVG can, at times, have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, even after just one session.
Chronic effects
The chronic effects, measured by comparing pre- and post-intervention values, were more pronounced. When looking at the overall data across the 4-week intervention, the participants demonstrated significant improvements in cardiovascular health. On average, systolic blood pressure was reduced by 3.0 mm Hg, with an effect size (d) of 0.3, indicating a small but meaningful decrease. Diastolic blood pressure showed a more substantial reduction of 4.7 mm Hg (d = 0.6), representing a moderate effect. Furthermore, heart rate decreased by 9 beats per minute (bpm) (d = 0.8), and the double product, which represents cardiac workload, was reduced by 1389.3 mm Hg × bpm (d = 1.6), a large reduction indicating less strain on the heart.
Implications for Health and Fitness
These findings hold significant implications for both physical activity recommendations and the potential therapeutic uses of AVG. The reduction in heart rate and blood pressure observed in the study suggests that regular engagement with AVG can serve as a beneficial intervention for improving cardiovascular health in young, healthy adults. Specifically, virtual functional training through AVG can help reduce cardiac workload over time, making it a viable option for promoting heart health without the need for traditional, often less appealing forms of exercise.
The chronic benefits, such as the reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, are particularly important because they suggest that AVG can have long-term health benefits. While single sessions might not induce immediate PEH, the cumulative effects of repeated exposure to AVG over weeks can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health.
Moreover, the findings suggest that AVG could be a helpful tool for individuals who might not otherwise engage in physical activity. With their interactive and gamified nature, these games offer a low-barrier way to increase physical activity levels and make exercise more enjoyable.
Practical Applications and Future Research
The practical applications of this study are broad, especially in the context of promoting physical activity among young adults, sedentary individuals, and those looking to maintain cardiovascular health. As the popularity of video games continues to grow, incorporating physical activity into gaming experiences through AVG represents an innovative way to make exercise more appealing to a wider audience.
For future research, it would be beneficial to explore the cardiovascular effects of AVG in different populations, including older adults, individuals with hypertension, or those with other cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, further studies could investigate the long-term effects of AVG on overall fitness levels and whether it can effectively improve other markers of health, such as body composition and muscular endurance.
Citação principal
HUMAN MOVEMENT (ISSN 1899-1955) DOES A VIRTUAL FUNCTIONAL TRAINING INDUCE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES IN NORMOTENSIVE ADULTS AFTER A SINGLE SESSION AND OVER WEEKS?
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