Are video games actually exercise?

Are video games actually exercise? Angela Taylor Bellwood-Antis High School 10th Grade

Problem • I want to find out if certain video games can increase your heart rate as much as walking does. I like video games and want to know if they can be considered exercise.

Background Information • Claims about games: • DDR states “Get in shape with workout mode!” • Cedric Bryant, chief executive physiologist for the American Council on Exercise: “It [DDR] can be very strenuous and can really get your heart rate up.” • Iowa newspaper: “Guitar Hero video game provides new gaming hooks, fun exercise.” • Studies have shown that Wii Sports games raised the heart rates of seniors.

Background Information • Resting heart rate • Number of times per minute the heart beats while at rest • Found 2 places: carotid artery in neck or radial pulse at the wrist

Adrenaline • Also called epinephrine • Hormone released by adrenal glands • Response to physical or mental distress • Causes increase in heart rate • More is secreted as exercise intensity increases

Effects of adrenaline: Exercise causes cells to need more oxygen To deliver oxygen faster, heart beats faster Adrenaline helps your heart beat faster What raises heart rate?

Hypothesis • I think that Dance Dance Revolution will increase heart rate the most, because it is the most vigorous activity. • DDR is the most intense exercise I am testing • More intense exercise=more adrenaline released • Adrenaline raises heart rate

General Procedure • Have subjects lay on the ground for 15 minutes, then take their pulse • Have them walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes • Take their pulse again and subtract to find the increase in heart rate • Repeat the experiment with Guitar Hero, Wii Sports, and DDR

Procedure: Set up • Step 1: Obtain signed consent form from subject. • Step 2: Instruct the person lie down on the ground, close their eyes and relax. • Step 3: Wait 15 minutes. While subject is resting, prepare the video game for testing (set up song, level, etc.) Have volume muted during this time.

Procedure: Take pulse • Step 4: When 15 minutes are up, take the person’s pulse: • Find the radial pulse located in the right wrist • Count beats per minute for one minute • Record

Procedure: Test Game • Step 5: After pulse has been recorded, have subject stand up and take the position necessary for the test. • Step 6: Begin the test and start timer for 15 minutes at the same time.

Procedure: Record Data • Step 7: When 15 minutes are up, have the subject immediately lie down and take pulse again using the procedure stated. • Step 8: Record pulse in beats per minute. • Step 9: Subtract to find change in heart rate. • Step 10: Repeat experiment with each experimental group, being sure 15 minutes of rest time are allowed between each test.

Experimental Design • Experimental Variable • Different video games • Experimental Groups • DDR, Wii Sports, Guitar Hero • Control Group • Walking

Control Variables • Activity: • Same song/course played • Same speed setting on treadmill • Exercise done at same time of day • Same volume level • Test subjects: • All subjects within same age range (14-16 yrs)

Control Variables Time: • 15 minutes of resting time between activities • 15 minutes spent on each activity • Pulse counted for one minute • Heart rate: • Radial pulse is used • Found in right wrist

Change in Heart Rate (BPM)

Average Change (BPM)

Graph: Average Change in BPM Wii Guitar Hero Treadmill DDR

Percent of Change

Ranking A lower number means the test had less of an effect on the subject’s heart rate

Ranking Graph Average Ranking Treadmill Wii Guitar Hero DDR A lower number means the test had less of an effect on the subject’s heart rate

Conclusion • My data does not support my hypothesis • The effect of each activity is different on each person

Other Factors • Couldn’t control skill level, which affected performance • Some found the games easier and didn’t have to try as hard • Exerted less effort • Experience level • Higher experience level: less likely to be surprised/excited by the games • Release less adrenaline

Other Factors • Speed was always the same on the treadmill, but not everyone was the same height • Shorter people had to walk faster than taller people to keep up

Further Study • Research the effects of other factors: • Height • Weight • Gender • Age • Athletic ability • Survey

Bibliography • http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2007/01/08/fyi/20070108-archive0.txt. 12/31/09. • http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/boomer-health/articles/2009/06/05/ interactive-video-games-offer-exercise-benefits.html. 1/3/10. • http://anatomyphysiology.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_does_adrenaline_work. 1/3/10. • http://www.lycos.com/info/epinephrine.html. 1/16/10. • http://btc.montana.edu/Olympics/physiology/cf02.html. 1/16/10.

Standard Deviation •  =Sum • Xav=Average • Xi= Trial • N =# of Trials • (Xav-Xi)2 • N-1  (9.3-8.7)2+(9.3-6.5)2+(9.3-4.5)2+(9.3-17.5)2 4-1

Are video games actually exercise?