Why Should "Screen Time" Be Activity Time?
In a 2007 article published in "Pediatrics," seven researchers
including James Levine of the Mayo Clinic explored,
"Energy Expenditure of Sedentary Screen Time Compared
With Active Screen Time"
Their objective was to examine the effect of activity-enhancing
screen devices like FootGaming and the FootPOWR peripheral
on children's energy expenditure compared with performing the
same activities while seated. Their hypothesis was that energy
expenditure would be significantly greater when children played
activity-promoting video games, compared with sedentary video
games. Of course, the same is true for energy expenditure ofr
adults. Imagine gaining the equivalent of a brisk walk,
balance training and brain-enhancing oxygen in the comfort of
your own home.
We are keenly interested in that activity-promoting outcome,
since FootGaming ties fitness, cognitive benefits and brain
productivity with the brain and body oxygen-delivering aspect
of physical activity.
• Energy expenditure was measured for 25
children aged 8 to 12 years, 15 of whom were lean, while they
were watching television seated, playing a traditional video
game seated, watching television while walking on a treadmill
at 1.5 miles per hour, and playing activity-promoting video
games. The results could be expected and we are pleased with
the outcome:
• Watching television and playing video
games while seated increased energy expenditure by 20 ±
13% and 22 ± 12% above resting values, respectively.
• When subjects were walking on the
treadmill and watching television, energy expenditure increased
by 138 ± 40% over resting values.
• For the activity-promoting video
games, energy expenditure increased by 108 ± 40% with
[lower end activity games] and by 172 ± 68%
with [higher end activity games] FootGaming bridges
from 3 METs (low end) to 10 METs [high end]
Exercise impacts both learning and well-being by affecting the neurotransmitters. This plays a huge role in moderating our moods and anxiety. If you want to learn more about the role of exercise in making us more resilient and for stalling the aging process, be sure to read Dr John Ratey's ground-breaking book - SPARK. It will elaborate on how exercise optimizes the person to be a better learner and help with ADHD, many addictions and even bipolar and schizophrenia. The more you know about the brain changes resulting from routines of physical aerobic exercise that will help manage mood the more you want to add regular sessions of exercise to all you do - especially to the many hours spent in a chair at a computer.
If you are a parent or educator, the results are important to you and your child or student. Energy expenditure more than doubles when sedentary screen time is converted to active screen time. When energy expenditure doubles while a person is re-designing the way they perform a formerly sedentary pursuit a new, active habit can be developed. For home computer time and for schools, this could be an easy to implement strategy.
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More on Active Games and Fit/Lean Kids
How the FootPOWR Activity Logging Tool Works
