Effects of Active Video Games in Physically Inactive Children (AVGAME)

A Digital Movement in the World of Inactive Children: Outcomes of Playing Active Video Games in a Pilot Randomized Trial

Inactivity was reported to be high in children and considered to be the fourth common cause of death in all ages. The reason for children is usually the increasing indoor use of sedentary screen time. Active Video Games (AVG) have recently been introduced for decreasing the sedentary time for children and directing them to physical activity (PA) at home.The aim of this study is to show the quantitative effect of games on physical fitness parameters like weight, body mass index (BMI) and fat ratio (FR). The study also aims at the factors for motivation or continuance of the games as self-perception and enjoyment levels together with qualitative effects of games on satisfaction and attitude changes in inactive children.

Research related a causal association between inactivity, low esteem, and excess weight for children. For this reason, academic performance decreases and obesity associated diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart diseases, depression, and cancer might ensue. Children usually do not prefer to perform outdoor PA due to several causes including low sense of self perception. So far studies have shown an almost equivalent energy spent through AVGs to the physical activity of moderate intensity. Games have been previously demonstrated to prevent excess weight. There were no studies of AVG in children with varying weights, inactivity and technology preoccupation. Similarly, no qualitative research of AVG in children exploring enjoyment levels and attitude changes were encountered. Thus, the investigators aim to find the quantitative effect of AVG on physical fitness parameters like weight, BMI and FR. Other aims are studying factors for motivation or continuance of the games as well as the feelings and perspectives of the participant children's parents for the games.

Physically inactive children who played alternately Nintendo Wii® active video games for 50-60 min, 3 days a week, 12 weeks, in laboratory environment.

Weight measured to the nearest 0.01 kg by Seca 767 scale. The first before the games, the second after the games.

Weight measured to the nearest 0.01 kg by Seca 767 scale. Z scores were calculated using national data for Turkish children. The first before the games, the second after the games. Positive z-scores indicates the number of standard deviations of the child above the mean of the population of the same age, whereas negative z-scores indicates the number of standard deviations of the child below the mean of the population of the same age.

Weight and height were measured to the nearest 0.01 kg (Seca 767) and 0.1 cm (Seca 220). BMI Z-scores were calculated using national data for Turkish children derived from values obtained from calculations with Quetelet index. The first before the games, the second after the games. Positive BMI z-scores indicates the number of standard deviations of the child above the mean of the population of the same age, whereas negative z-scores indicates the number of standard deviations of the child below the mean of the population of the same age.

The biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular regions skinfold thicknesses were measured by Holtain caliper at the beginning of and after the games. Durnin-Womersley formula was used to calculate body densities. Then fat ratio of whole body was derived from the Siri equation by integrating body densities obtained by Durnin-Womersley formula.

Determination of visual reaction times after games in intervention groups, and control groups. First before the games, second after the games.

Self-Perception of Sports Competence Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about sports competence subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Self-perception of Physical Condition Competence Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about physical condition competence subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Self-perception of Strength Competence Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about strength competence subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Self-perception of Body Attractiveness Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about body attractiveness subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Self-perception of Global Physical Self-worth Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about physical self-worth subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Self-perception of Global Self-worth Assessed by Children and Youth Physical Self-perception Profile (CY-PSPP)

The scale "Children and Youth Physical Self Perception Profile (CY-PSPP)" assessed the children's self-percetion about global self-worth subscale in both groups at the beginning and at the end of protocol. The subscale was assessed by 6 questions with four ordinal levels (1-4) of response. Minimum and maximum total scores change between 6 to 24 for the subscale. Higher scores mean a better score.

Enjoyment Levels of Genders From Sports Category in the Game Group by Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-SF)

For Sports category, there were 5 games of boxing, tennis, golf, baseball, and bowling. Thus, each child was evaluated after every single game by five bipolar scale questions. Questions 1 and 4 were starting from positive to negative answers (left to right) and scored as 7-1. Scale scores were determined by calculating the mean. All scale scores were summed to calculate the Category score. The higher the score, the better the enjoyment in this category. Min-Max Sports Category scores were 11-25 for females and 17.8-26.2 for males.

For Resort category, there were 8 games of jet-skiing, water skiing, table tennis, basketball, swordplay, archery, canoeing and frisbee. Thus, each child was evaluated after every single game by five bipolar scale questions. Questions 1 and 4 were starting from positive to negative answers (left to right) and therefore scored as 7-1. Scale scores were determined by calculating the mean. All scale scores were summed to calculate the Category score. The higher the score, the better the enjoyment in this category. Min-Max Resort Category scores were 23.2-37 for females and 25.8-37.8 for males.

For Balance category, there were 5 games of ski slalom, heading ball, balance bubble, ski jumping and penguin playing. Thus, each child was evaluated after every single game by five bipolar scale questions. Questions 1 and 4 were starting from positive to negative answers (left to right) and therefore scored as 7-1. Scale scores were determined by calculating the mean. All scale scores were summed to calculate the Category score. The higher the score, the better the enjoyment in this category. Min-Max Balance Category scores were 14.4-23.2 for females and 15-26.6 for males.

For Aerobics category, there were 5 games of rhytmic boxing, hula-hoop, cycling, step, and run. Thus, each child was evaluated after every single game by five bipolar scale questions. Questions 1 and 4 were starting from positive to negative answers (left to right) and therefore scored as 7-1. Scale scores were determined by calculating the mean. All scale scores were summed to calculate the Category score. The higher the score, the better the enjoyment in this category. Min-Max Aerobics Category scores were 17.8-24 for females and 14.4-26.4 for males.

For Training category, there were 9 games of rhythm kung fu, snowball, turning ball, Segway circuit, perfect 10, skateboard, major, obstacle course and bicycle. Thus, each child was evaluated after every single game by five bipolar scale questions. Questions 1 and 4 were starting from positive to negative answers (left to right) and therefore scored as 7-1. Scale scores were determined by calculating the mean. All scale scores were summed to calculate the Category score. The higher the score, the better the enjoyment in this category. Min-Max Training Category scores were 31.6-41.8 for females and 29.2-45.2 for males.

Inclusion Criteria: Being 8-13 years old Being preoccupied with technology Being physically inactive Exclusion Criteria: Having circulatory, respiratory and musculoskeletal disease Having neuropsychiatric diseases History of syncope or seizures History of exercise induced anaphylaxis Morbid obesity Short stature

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