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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Apr;12(2):120-128.
doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12117. Epub 2016 Feb 26.

A randomized controlled trial of dance exergaming for exercise training in overweight and obese adolescent girls

A E Staiano  1 , A M Marker  1 , R A Beyl  1 , D S Hsia  1 , P T Katzmarzyk  1 , R L Newton  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized controlled trial of dance exergaming for exercise training in overweight and obese adolescent girls

A E Staiano et al. Pediatr Obes. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Structured exergaming with prescribed moderate intensity physical activity has reduced adiposity among adolescents. The extent to which adolescents reduce adiposity when allowed to self-select intensity level is not known.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the influence of exergaming on adolescent girls' body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial assigned 41 overweight and obese girls aged 14 to 18 years to group-based dance exergaming (36 h over 3 months) or to a self-directed care control condition. Body size and composition were measured by anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [%fat and bone mineral density {BMD}] and magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiovascular risk factors included blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin.

Results: Attrition was 5%. Using analysis of covariance controlling for baseline value, age and race, there were no significant condition differences. Per protocol (attended >75%), the intervention group significantly decreased abdominal subcutaneous adiposity and increased trunk and spine BMD (ps < 0.05). Per protocol (>2600 steps/session), the intervention group significantly decreased leg %fat and decreased abdominal subcutaneous and total adiposity (ps < 0.05).

Conclusion: Exergaming reduced body fat and increased BMD among those adolescent girls who adhered. Further research is required before exergaming is recommended in clinical settings.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02003963.

Keywords: body fat; bone density; exercise; video games.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Change in subcutaneous adipose tissue after 12-week exergaming intervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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