Energy Expenditure and Intensity in Healthy Young Adults during Exergaming

Objectives: To examine and compare the energy expenditure (EE) and intensity of Xbox 360 Kinect exergames in healthy young adults. Methods: Seventeen young adults (22.0 +/- 2.9 years; 7 men) were enrolled and asked to complete 6 exergames using Xbox 360 Kinect. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout each exergame, and metabolic equivalents (METs) and EE were calculated from VO2. Results: Boxing (6.8 +/- 1.9 METs) and soccer (6.2 +/- 1.7 METs) provided vigorous intensity of physical activity, which was significantly greater than track and field, ping-pong, and bowling (5.0 +/- 1.5, 4.0 +/- 1.6, and 2.6 +/- 0.8 METs, respectively; all p < .01). Beach volleyball (5.7 +/- 1.8 METs) was greater than ping-pong and bowling (both p < .01). EE exhibited a similar pattern. These results remained after adjusting for participants' previous exergaming experience and resting HR. Conclusions: Kinect Sports from Xbox 360 Kinect is capable of providing a moderate-tovigorous level of physical activity in young healthy adults. These exergames may be used as an alternative mode of exercise to promote physical activity participation in this population. Future research that evaluates the feasibility of using exergames as an alternative mode of exercise in other populations is warranted.