Acute cardiovascular responses while playing virtual games simulated by          Nintendo Wii®

Gusthavo Augusto Alves Rodrigues; Danilo De Souza Felipe; Elisangela Silva; Wagner Zeferino De Freitas; Wonder Passoni Higino; Fabiano Fernandes Da Silva; Wellington Roberto Gomes De Carvalho; Renato Aparecido de Souza

doi:10.1589/jpts.27.2849

Original Article

Acute cardiovascular responses while playing virtual games simulated by Nintendo Wii^®

Gusthavo Augusto Alves Rodrigues, Danilo De Souza Felipe, Elisangela Silva, Wagner Zeferino De Freitas, Wonder Passoni Higino, Fabiano Fernandes Da Silva, Wellington Roberto Gomes De Carvalho, Renato Aparecido de Souza

Author information

Gusthavo Augusto Alves Rodrigues
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Danilo De Souza Felipe
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Elisangela Silva
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Wagner Zeferino De Freitas
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Wonder Passoni Higino
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Fabiano Fernandes Da Silva
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil
Biomedical Engineering Institute, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Brazil
Wellington Roberto Gomes De Carvalho
Department of Physical Education, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Brazil
Renato Aparecido de Souza
Group of Studies and Research in Health Sciences (GEP-CS), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of The South of Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS): Rua Dinah, 75, Canaã, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil

Keywords: Ergospirometric, Functional Exercises, Exergames

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2015 Volume 27 Issue 9 Pages 2849-2851

DOI https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.2849

Details

Abstract

[Purpose] This investigation evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses that occur while playing virtual games (aerobic and balance) emulated by Nintendo Wii^®. [Subjects] Nineteen healthy male volunteers were recruited. [Methods] The ergospirometric variables of maximum oxygen consumption, metabolic equivalents, and heart rate were obtained during the aerobic (Obstacle Course, Hula Hoop, and Free Run) and balance (Soccer Heading, Penguin Slide, and Table Tilt) games of Wii Fit Plus^® software. To access and analyze the ergospirometric information, a VO2000 analyzer was used. Normalized data (using maximum oxygen consumption and heart rate) were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Scheffe’s test. [Results] Significant differences were found among the balance and aerobic games in all variables analyzed. In addition, the Wii exercises performed were considered to be of light (balance games) and moderate (aerobic games) intensity in accordance with American College Sports Medicine exercise stratification. [Conclusion] Physical activity in a virtual environment emulated by Nintendo Wii^® can change acute cardiovascular responses, primarily when Wii aerobic games are performed. These results support the use of the Nintendo Wii^® in physical activity programs.

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