Volunteers wanted .... To play video games

Can active video games help New Zealand children beat an epidemic of obesity?

Researchers at The University of Auckland are looking for volunteers to take part in a six-month study aimed at finding out if active video games can improve the health of children over time.
Initial studies show that the energy used in playing active video games in short bouts is equivalent to the energy expended in physical activities such as playing cricket, cycling and walking.

Move it!
A pilot study also shows that playing active video games is linked with more physical activity and a reduction in overall video game play. The new study, funded by the Health Research Council, examines whether active video games can have effects on body mass, physical activity and the fitness of the heart and lungs in children.
Of course, this means playing games such as Guitar Hero, where you have to move about and are therefore likely to work up a sweat, rather than playing a video game that just involves sitting on the couch and jiggling some controls. Although some gamers warn that extended sessions on any game can give you repetitive strain injuries (RSI) the same way playing a real sport like tennis can. Nevertheless, that's not a problem for the three in every ten New Zealand children who do little or no physical activity, says Dr Ralph Maddison of the University of Auckland's Clinical Trials Research Unit. "One third is overweight or obese with a higher prevalence amongst Maori and Pacific children. There is an urgent public health requirement to find ways to increase physical activity in children." Dr Maddison says inactivity - partly as a result of watching TV and playing old-style video games - is thought to be part of the problem. "New active video game technology requires players to interact with images on screen, which potentially could be a real help in getting children to increase their physical activity and reduce obesity."

The eGAME study is looking for children aged 10-14 years, who play video games and who live in the Auckland area to take part. For more information, call 0800 4 eGAME (0800 4 34263).