Physiologic responses to playing a video game
K. R. Segal and W. H. Dietz
Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029.
The displacement of sports and other physical activities by television and
video may contribute to the associations among television viewing, obesity,
and reduced physical fitness. Because video games are widely played by
children and adolescents, we assessed the metabolic and cardiovascular
responses to video game playing. Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen
consumption were measured serially over 30 minutes in 32 males and females
aged 16 to 25 years (mean +/- SEM, 20 +/- 1 years) while they played the
"Ms Pac-Man" video game under standard laboratory conditions and compared
with measurements made in a standing but inactive position. Playing the
video game significantly increased heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood
pressure, and oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure increased from 6.08
+/- 0.24 kJ/min while the subjects stood inactive to 10.94 +/- 0.49 kJ/min
while they played. The increase in metabolic rate and cardiovascular
stimulation was similar in magnitude to mild-intensity exercise.
