Exergaming: Comparison of On-Game and Off-Game Physical Activity in Elementary Physical Education

Authors

  • Craig Reynolds Beitel Elementary School - Physical Educator 811 South 17th St. Laramie, WY 82070
  • Tami Benham-Deal University of Wyoming
  • Jayne M. Jenkins University of Wyoming
  • Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2018-V75-I1-7533

Keywords:

physical activity, physical education, dance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe fifth grade students’ physical activity (PA) while playing a dance-based video game, Just Dance 4, and to examine the influence direct feedback about their performance had on their level of activity. Twenty-seven students in the 5th grade from an elementary school in the Rocky Mountain West participated. Participants wore a pedometer and recorded step count, PA, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while playing the game. Over 6 days of data collection, each participant collected on-game and off-game data for each song danced. Participants’ mean step count was 1,891.63 (SD = 435.3) per class. The difference of total steps taken between on-game (M = 345.61, SD = 78.8) and off-game (M = 313.82, SD = 78.6) was not significantly different, t(27) = 1.50, p = .1289. Participants were physically active for a mean of 15 min, 40 s (SD = 174.63 s) and MVPA for 9 min (SD = 210.39 s). Although no significant difference was found between on-game and off-game PA, participants mean step count equated to nearly 16% of the daily recommended steps. Engaging in Just Dance 4 allows children to achieve part of the daily recommended PA in a 30-min physical education class.

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Author Biographies

Craig Reynolds, Beitel Elementary School - Physical Educator 811 South 17th St. Laramie, WY 82070

Beitel Elementary School - Physical Educator

Tami Benham-Deal, University of Wyoming

Professor Division of Kinesiology & Health

307-766-4284

benham@uwyo.edu

1000 East University Ave., Dept. 3196

Laramie, WY  82071

Jayne M. Jenkins, University of Wyoming

Division of Kinesiology and Health

Professor

Margaret Wilson, University of Wyoming

University of Wyoming

Associate Professor Theater & Dance

307-766-5138

mawilson@uwyo.edu

2113 Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts

Laramie, WY  82071

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Published

2018-02-01

Issue

Section

Articles