Effects of exergaming on cardiovascular risk factors and adipokine levels in women

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exergaming on the cardiovascular risk factors and adipokine levels of women engaged in the music video game Just Dance using the Xbox 360 Kinect console. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, FFA, CRP, TNF-α, Il-1β, IL-6, leptin, and resistin were measured in sedentary women before and 1 month after the practice of exergaming. We also evaluated anthropometric parameters. Our results indicate that total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL were reduced by 64, 29, and 12%, respectively. HDL levels were not altered in the conditions of this study. A significant decrease was also found in the concentrations of TNF-α (57%), CRP (84.7%), resistin (68.4%), leptin (35%), FFA (90%), body mass index (10.5%), fat percentage (10.9%), weight (5.6%), abdominal circumference (2.3%), hip circumference (2.5%), and waist circumference (1.9%) after the training period. We concluded that exergaming was successful in reducing body fat, serum adipokine levels, and lipid profiles, thus reducing cardiovascular risks for women.

Keywords: Adiponectin; Cytokines; Exercise; Inflammation; Xbox 360 Kinect games.

Fig. 1

Effect of XBox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergame on lipid markers. The participants’ serum concentrations of triglycerides (a), cholesterol (b), LDL (c) and (d) HDL were determined before and 1 month after regular exergaming practice. The values are presented as mean ± standard error of the 12 participants. ^* p < 0.05 for comparison of pre- and post-training conditions

Fig. 2

Effect of XBox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergame on the cytokine profile. The participants’ serum concentrations of TNF-α (a), Il-1β (b), and Il-6 (c) were determined before and 1 month after regular exergaming practice. The values are presented as mean ± standard error of the 12 participants. ^* p < 0.05 for comparison of pre- and post-training conditions

Fig. 3

Effect of XBox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergame on CRP. The participants’ serum concentrations of CRP were determined before and 1 month after regular exergaming practice. The values are presented as mean ± standard error of the 12 participants. ^* p < 0.05 for comparison of pre- and post-training conditions

Fig. 4

Effect of XBox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergame on adipokines. The participants’ serum concentrations of leptin (a) and resistin (b) were determined before and 1 month after regular exergaming practice. The values are presented as mean ± standard error of the 12 participants. ^* p < 0.05 for comparison of pre- and post-training conditions