Exergame Lab @ SUNY Cortland

The goal of one of my first exergame studies was to quantify the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in youngsters who play DDR. While playing DDR for 45 minutes, the youngsters were in the MVPA range for over 33 minutes (~73%) and the average heart rate was 142 beats per minute.

Yang, S.P., Graham, G. (2005). Project GAME (Gaming Activities for More Exercise). Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76(1 Suppl), A-96.

Note: I am now an Assistant Professor at SUNY Cortland. Click here for my profile.

The goal of one this exergame study was to compare the amount of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensities in youngsters who play DDR and EyeToy Play. Overall, participants spent significantly more time in MVPA while playing DDR when compared to EyeToy, 80.84% to 53.45% respectively.

Yang, S.P. & Foley, J.T. Comparison of MVPA while playing DDR and EyeToy. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 79 (1 Supplement), A-17.

[Also available at Digiplay Initiative]

Yang, S.P., Smith B.K., Graham, G.M. (2008). Healthy video gaming: an oxymoron or possibility? Innovate,4 (4).

From synopsis: “Suggesting that games like DDR and game systems like Nintendo’s Wii may appeal to young people who resist more accepted forms of exercise, Yang, Smith, and Graham explore the potential power of these games to encourage children and youth to be physically active.”

Earlier in the week Senior Editor (Health/Medicine) Katherine Hobson from US News & World Report interviewed me by phone. Here is the online article titled “The Power of Wii: Getting in Shape with Video Games?”