Large Estimate Variations in Assessed Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity Levels during Active Virtual Reality Gaming: A Short Report

Jan-Michael Johansen (), Kjartan van der Iest Schutte and Solfrid Bratland-Sanda
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Jan-Michael Johansen: Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway
Kjartan van der Iest Schutte: Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway
Solfrid Bratland-Sanda: Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to compare methods for estimating energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA) intensity during a 30 min session of active virtual reality (VR) gaming. Eight individuals (age = 25.4 ± 2.0 yrs) participated, with a maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) of 41.3 ± 5.7 mL∙kg −1 ∙min −1 . All tests were conducted over two days. An incremental test to determine the VO 2max when running was performed on day 1, while 30 min of active VR gaming was performed on day 2. The instruments used for EE estimations and PA measurements were indirect calorimetry, a heart rate (HR) monitor, and waist- and wrist-worn accelerometer. Compared to indirect calorimetry, waist-worn accelerometers underestimated EE (mean difference: −157.3 ± 55.9 kcal, p < 0.01) and PA levels. HR-based equations overestimated EE (mean difference: 114.8 ± 39.0 kcal, p < 0.01 and mean difference: 141.0 ± 81.6 kcal, p < 0.01). The wrist-worn accelerometer was the most accurate in estimating EE (mean difference: 23.9 ± 45.4 kcal, p = 0.95). The large variations in EE have implications for population-based surveillance of PA levels and for clinical studies using active VR gaming.

Keywords: physical activity; exergaming; virtual training; energy expenditure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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