A systematic review of active video games on rehabilitative outcomes among older patients

Background: Although current research supports the use of active video games(AVGs) in rehabilitation, the evidence has yet to be systematically reviewed or synthesized. The current project systematically reviewed literature, summarized findings, and evaluated the effectiveness of AVGs as a therapeutic tool in improving physical, psychological, and cognitive rehabilitative outcomes among older adults with chronic diseases.Methods: Seven databases(Academic Search Complete, Communication & Mass Media Complete, ERIC, Psyc INFO, Pub Med, SPORTDiscus,and Medline) were searched for studies that evaluated the effectiveness of AVG-based rehabilitation among older patients. The initial search yielded 946 articles; after evaluating against inclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 19 studies of AVG-based rehabilitation remained.Results: Most studies were quasi-experimental in design, with physical functioning the primary outcome investigated with regard to the use of AVGs in rehabilitation. Overall, 9 studies found significant improvements for all study outcomes, whereas 9 studies were mixed, with significant improvements on several study outcomes but no effects observed on other outcomes after AVG-based treatments. One study failed to find any benefits of AVG-based rehabilitation.Conclusion: Findings indicate AVGs have potential in rehabilitation for older patients, with several randomized clinical trials reporting positive effects on rehabilitative outcomes. However, existing evidence is insufficient to support the advantages of AVGs over standard therapy. Given the limited number of studies and concerns with study design quality, more research is warranted to make more definitive conclusions regarding the ability of AVGs to improve rehabilitative outcomes in older patients.

Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment(CAMSA):Validity, objectivity, and reliability evidence for children 8–12 years of age

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to develop an assessment of the fundamental, combined, and complex movement skills required to support childhood physical literacy. The secondary aim was to establish the feasibility, objectivity, and reliability evidence for the assessment.Methods: An expert advisory group recommended a course format for the assessment that would require children to complete a series of dynamic movement skills. Criterion-referenced skill performance and completion time were the recommended forms of evaluation. Children, 8–12 years of age, self-reported their age and gender and then completed the study assessments while attending local schools or day camps. Face validity was previously established through a Delphi expert(n = 19, 21% female) review process. Convergent validity was evaluated by age and gender associations with assessment performance. Inter-and intra-rater(n = 53, 34% female) objectivity and test–retest(n = 60, 47% female) reliability were assessed through repeated test administration.Results: Median total score was 21 of 28 points(range 5–28). Median completion time was 17 s. Total scores were feasible for all 995 children who self-reported age and gender. Total score did not differ between inside and outside environments(95% confidence interval(CI) of difference:-0.7 to 0.6;p = 0.91) or with/without footwear(95%CI of difference:-2.5 to 1.9; p = 0.77). Older age(p < 0.001, η2= 0.15) and male gender(p < 0.001, η2= 0.02)were associated with a higher total score. Inter-rater objectivity evidence was excellent(intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) = 0.99) for completion time and substantial for skill score(ICC = 0.69) for 104 attempts by 53 children(34% female). Intra-rater objectivity was moderate(ICC = 0.52) for skill score and excellent for completion time(ICC = 0.99). Reliability was excellent for completion time over a short(2–4 days; ICC = 0.84) or long(8–14days; ICC = 0.82) interval. Skill score reliability was moderate(ICC = 0.46) over a short interval, and substantial(ICC = 0.74) over a long interval.Conclusion: The Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment is a feasible measure of selected fundamental, complex and combined movement skills, which are an important building block for childhood physical literacy. Moderate-to-excellent objectivity was demonstrated for children 8–12 years of age. Test–retest reliability has been established over an interval of at least 1 week. The time and skill scores can be accurately estimated by 1 trained examiner.

Impact of exergaming on young children's school day energy expenditure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels

Background: Although emerging research is demonstrating the potential health impact of exergaming,investigations have primarily been conducted in laboratory settings among small samples with short-term interventions.Information on the effectiveness of exergaming in underserved children's objective physical activity(PA) in population-based settings is also scarce.Moreover,most empirical studies have only included 1 type of exergame in the intervention.Therefore,this study's purpose was to investigate the long-term impact of a multigame exergaming intervention among underserved children integrated within school curricula.Specifically,this study examined the effect of exergaming on children's accelerometer-determined sedentary behavior(SB),light PA,moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA),and energy expenditure(EE) over 2 years as compared with regular physical education(PE) classes.Methods: A total of 261 second-and third-grade children(134 girls,127 boys; mean age 8.27 years) were recruited from 2 Texas elementary schools.Children's pre-test 3-day SB,light PA,MVPA,and EE at school were assessed in the fall of 2012.Participants were assigned to 1 of 2groups:(1) exergaming/PE group(125 min weekly of exergaming-based PA program) and (2) comparison group(125 min weekly of PE).PA(SB,light PA,and MVPA) and EE outcome variables were assessed again in 2013(post-test) and 2014(follow-up).Results: Significant time effects were observed for SB(F(1,162)=25.0,p<0.01,η~2= 0.14),light PA(F(1,162)=9.6,p<0.01,η~2= 0.06),and MVPA(F(1,162)=6.2,p=0.01,η~2= 0.04) but not for EE(F(1,162)=0.63,p>0.05,η~2= 0.004).Subsequent pairwise comparisons revealed significant increases from pre-to post-test for light PA(p<0.01),MVPA(p<0.01),and EE(p=0.02) with no changes in SB(p>0.05).Conversely,significant decreases occurred in light PA(p<0.01) from post-test to follow-up with no differences seen in MVPA(p=0.08) and EE(p=0.06) over the same time period.A significant increase was seen,however,for SB from post-test to follow-up.Conclusion: Exergaming PE can have the same positive effect on children's light PA,MVPA,and EE as regular PE.More research is necessary to discern how to promote long-term PA participation after conclusion of the intervention.

Sedentary Behavior Research Network members support new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guideline recommendations

A new paradigm employing 24-h movement guidelines that combines recommendations for movement behaviors across the whole day(physical activities of all intensities,sedentary behaviors,and sleep)is gaining momentum around the globe,and several jurisdictions are developing and releasing evidence-informed public health guidelines embracing this approach.1,2 The Sedentary Behavior Research Network(SBRN),the world’s largest network of researchers and health professionals focusing specifically on the health impact of sedentary behaviors,embraces this new paradigm and has worked to normalize the integration of sedentary behaviors into the movement-behavior paradigm.