Background: There is little research exploring training effects of engaging in active video gaming activities.
Objectives: This study sought to determine the cardiovascular and metabolic responses, changes in flexibility and exercise adherence to an aerobic dance exercise programme using the XBOX Kinect over a 6 week training period.
Methods: Training was conducted using the Just Dance 4 disc on the XBOX Kinect 360. Participants attended five, 30 minute sessions per week for the first two weeks, four 45 minute sessions per week for the next two weeks and three 60 minute sessions per week for the last two weeks. Outcomes assessed included flexibility, body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), resting and post exercise blood pressure, heart rate and blood lactate levels.
Results: There were significant improvements in flexibility, maximal oxygen consumption and resting heart rate. There were no significant changes in BMI, percentage body fat or blood lactate levels. Nine (37.5%) participants continued to engage in this form of exercise at least 3-days per week over the 3-month post intervention follow-up period.
Conclusion: Engaging in dancing using dance videogames can lead to improved cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility in sedentary female university students.
Keywords: Exergaming; aerobic conditioning; dance training.