Yesterday, just in time for Christmas shoppers, Active Healthy Kids Canada released a position statement on active video games as a strategy to help kids be more active.
Their position on this issue is based on
“..a rigorous and transparent scientific process to develop this position, convening a panel of international researchers to conduct a systematic review of the best available scientific evidence, examining 1367 published papers.”
In short, their position is as follows:
Active Healthy Kids Canada does not recommend active video games as a strategy to help kids be more physically active.
- Playing active video games doesn’t lead to increased overall daily physical activity levels.
- Active video games may get heart rates up, but they’re not significantly helping kids get to the 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity required each day.
- Kids find active video games appealing, but the appeal wears off over time and many don’t stick with them.
- Active video games don’t offer the fresh air, vitamin D, connection with nature and social interactions that come with outdoor active play.
However, for the makers of active video games not all is lost.
Thus, Healthy Active Kids Canada recommends that :
- Active video games are a good way to break up sedentary time, like sitting on the couch, but not as good as playing real active games or sports.
- Enjoy playing active video games with your kids, and let them enjoy playing them with their friends, but don’t misunderstand this as a replacement of real physical activity.
- If money is spent on active video games as a means of exercise, it might be better spent on skipping ropes, balls, ice skates or other sporting equipment.
- In kids with developmental delays, movement challenges or injuries, active video games can be used to help teach motor skills, improve movement and rehabilitate.
So buy the kids their exergames if they insist but let them only use it if they also clock up the hours playing outside (dress warmly!).
Reader Response Question: What real active play or sports equipment could you buy for the price of a video game console and active games?
AMS
Edmonton, Alberta
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