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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00983970

Effects of Interactive Video Game Cycling on Obese Adolescent Health

Exercise is an important component in the treatment of of child obesity and associated medical conditions. However, one of the strongest predictors of non-compliance from exercise programs in obese youth is lack of enjoyment, thus creating a more pleasurable environment, by using TV or video games as incentives, may be an effective way of increasing exercise in obese youth. The purpose of this study was to compare interactive video game stationary cycling (GameBike ®) with cycling to music on aerobic fitness, body composition, cardiovascular disease risk markers, and exercise behaviour as measured by attendance, energy expenditure, duration, intensity and distance pedaled in obese adolescents. Twenty six obese adolescents had an equal chance of being assigned to either interactive video game cycling (n=13) or cycling to music serving as controls (n=13). The 10-week program consisted of twice weekly sessions lasting a maximum of 60 minutes per session.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight With Comorbidity Behavior Body Weight Motor Activity Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

12 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Children's Hospital Of Eastern Ontario Research Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L1, Canada

About this study

Background: Energy expenditure through exercise is important for weight loss and reduction of medical morbidity associated with adolescent obesity. However, attrition from aerobic exercise programs is high in obese children as they do not tolerate it or enjoy it. Capitalizing on technology to use TV or video games as incentives to exercise may improve adherence to exercise and associated health benefits in obese adolescents.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of interactive video game stationary cycling (GameBike ®) with cycling to music on aerobic fitness, body composition, cardiovascular disease risk markers, and exercise behaviour as measured by attendance, energy expenditure, duration, intensity and distance pedaled in obese adolescents.

Method: Twenty six obese adolescents were stratified by gender and randomized to a either interactive video game cycling (n=13) or cycling to music serving as controls (n=13). The 10-week program consisted of twice weekly sessions lasting a maximum of 60 minutes per session.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • youth aged 12-17 years with BMI above 95th percentile for age and gender based on CDC growth chart data, OR
  • BMI > 85th percentile for age and gender with one of the following:
  • elevated fasting glucose or 2 hour OGTT (indicative of impaired glucose tolerance)
  • elevated fasting triglycerides, LDL-C, reduced HDL-C
  • total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio > 90th percentile
  • elevated fasting insulin
  • Blood pressure > 90th percentile
  • 1st degree relative with Type II diabetes or cardiovascular disease
  • Willingness to follow protocol and sign informed assent and consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Did not have a medical condition that altered intestinal absorption
  • Did not influence response to activity intervention or make vigorous exercise dangerous - such as
  • type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • inflammatory bowel disease,
  • severe arthritis/asthma,
  • congestive heart failure,
  • pulmonary disease,
  • systemic hypertension,
  • acute renal disease
  • other illness assessed by the study physician making participation inadvisable

Treatment and study plan

Interactive video game cycling

Behavioral

Participants were required to exercise on a Gamebike® (Cat Eye Electronics Ltd, Boulder Col.) interactive video gaming system that was interfaced with a Sony Play Station 2® (Sony computer Entertainment America Inc. Foster, City, CA) and a 42" flat screen television monitor. The Gamebike® has a handlebar mounted game controller allowing the participant to play most Sony Playstation 2- race-based video games. The Gamebike® reads the participant's speed by cycling cadence and the faster the individual pedalled, the faster they moved in the virtual world on screen. Participants were told that they could exercise at any intensity and duration they desired. Participants were asked to come to the lab for two sessions per week for 60 minutes for 10 weeks. Although participants were required to stay in the lab for 60 minutes, they could take breaks or stop when they wanted, and reading materials were available for those who did not or could not cycle for the full 60 minute session.

Cycling to Music

Behavioral

Each participant exercised twice weekly for 10 weeks on the Gamebike® but the games and controls were turned off. The Gamebike® was used by both groups to control for any differences between two cycle ergometers such as comfort or usability. However, participants were allowed to listen to music of their choice via radio, CD or personal music device. We incorporated music into the control condition because most youth and young adults exercise to music and this provides a more stringent test of the Gamebike® while improving the ecological validity of the research design. We also wanted to minimize drop-out and felt that expecting overweight/obese adolescents, who often report disliking aerobic exercise, to bike in a lab with no form of distraction would create a less than desirable exercise environment and result in high drop-out rates.

Primary outcomes

  1. Energy Expenditure (kilocalories)

    Time frame: baseline and 10-weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Aerobic fitness

    Time frame: baseline and 10 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Other

Collaborators

  • Canadian Diabetes Association

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Sep 24, 2009
Registry last updated
Sep 24, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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