Energy expenditure during physically interactive video game playing in male college students with different playing experience

OBJECTIVE: Researchers have yet to explore the effect of physically interactive video game playing on energy expenditure, despite its potential for meeting current minimal daily activity and energy expenditure recommendations. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Nineteen male college students -- 12 experienced Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) players and 7 inexperienced players -- completed maximal oxygen uptake assessments and a 30-minute DDR gaming session. The authors recorded heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange rate (RER), oxygen consumption (VO2), and total steps (TS30). RESULTS: Experienced participants showed higher exercise HR, RPE, RER, VO2, total and relative energy expenditure, exercise intensity, TS30, and average steps per minute, and less time and steps to expend 150 kilocalories (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with greater playing experience can work at higher intensities, promoting greater energy expenditure.