ORIGINAL ARTICLES  PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2010 December;50(4):436-42

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The cardiovascular and metabolic responses to Wii Fit video game playing in middle-aged and older adults

Guderian B. ¹, Borreson L. A. ¹, Sletten L. E. ¹, Cable K. ¹, Stecker T. P. ¹, Probst M. A. ¹, Dalleck L. C. ² ✉

¹ University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA; ² The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandì

AIM: The purpose of this study was (a) to assess the cardiovascular and metabolic responses to Wii Fit video games and (b) to determine if Wii Fit video games meet the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness.
METHODS: Twenty men and women (mean±SD age, height, and weight: = 58.1±8.8 years, 172.1±10.5 cm, 87.1±22.8 kg, respectively) completed a 20-min Wii Fit testing session consisting of six separate aerobic and balance games. Cardiovascular and metabolic data were collected via a portable calorimetric measurement system.
RESULTS: Mean relative exercise intensity was 43.4±16.7% of heart rate reserve. Absolute exercise intensity in metabolic equivalents (METS) was 3.5±0.96. Total net energy expenditure for the Wii Fit video game playing session was 116.2±40.9 kcal/session.
CONCLUSION: Results indicate that playing Wii Fit video games is a feasible alternative to more traditional aerobic exercise modalities for middle-aged and older adults that fulfills the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness.