FITNESS BENEFITS OF THE NINTENDO WII FIT ____________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, Chico ____________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Kinesiology ____________ by © Victoria E. Sator 2010 Spring 2010 FITNESS BENEFITS OF THE NINTENDO WII FIT A Thesis by Victoria E. Sator Spring 2010 APPROVED BY THE INTERIM DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE, INTERNATIONAL, AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: _________________________________ Mark J. Morlock, Ph.D. APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: ______________________________ _________________________________ George David Swanson, Ph.D. George David Swanson, Ph.D., Chair Graduate Coordinator _________________________________ Thomas D. Fahey Ed.D. _________________________________ Joshua M. Trout Ph.D. PUBLICATION RIGHTS No portion of this thesis may be reprinted or reproduced in any manner unacceptable to the usual copyright restrictions without the written permission of the author. iii DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this thesis to my parents Kenneth and Rebecca, without whom I would not have had the opportunity to receive a college education. To my Dad, for his brave service to our country, bestowing me with his awesome sense of humor and for giving me his strength. To my Mom, for her corny jokes, enriching me with compassion for the environment, and all the creatures in it, and her unfailing faith in me. Thank you so much for the massive amounts of love and support you both have given me. Without you two, I would be nothing. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My Uncle Robert and Aunt Vickie Sobey–You both are some of the hardest working people I know, thank you for leading me with your example, loving me, and for supporting me throughout my college career. Earl and Betty Miller - for the many many books it took to educate me! Dr. Swanson – Thank you so much for guiding me through the Masters program and giving me the freedom to learn and grow, I will always have so much gratitude for that! Dr. Fahey – I couldn’t have gotten through this thesis without your help! Thank You! Dr. Trout – Thank you for giving me pep talks and for being honest with me. It has meant so much! Laurie Hartt – For being my editor-in-chief! You rock! Thank you! Brett Hartt- For keeping me going when I would have melt downs, believing in me, and loving me. My Best Gal Pals – Jessica Munger, Jessica Miller and Amelia Mattingly, My world is a much better place with the three of you in it! v TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Publication Rights ...................................................................................................... iii Dedication................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................... v List of Tables.............................................................................................................. viii List of Figures............................................................................................................. x Abstract....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER I. Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................. 3 Purpose of the Study..................................................................... 4 Rationale....................................................................................... 4 Hypothesis .................................................................................... 6 Null Hypothesis............................................................................ 6 Delimitations of the Study............................................................ 6 Limitations.................................................................................... 6 Definition of Terms ...................................................................... 7 II. Review of Literature Review.................................................................... 9 History of Exergaming ................................................................. 9 The Case for Physical Activity..................................................... 11 Physical activity and Resting Heart Rate ..................................... 14 Video Gaming, Exergaming and Health ...................................... 15 vi CHAPTER PAGE III. Methodology............................................................................................. 19 Introduction .................................................................................. 19 Design of the Investigation........................................................... 19 Subjects......................................................................................... 21 Treatment...................................................................................... 21 Instrument..................................................................................... 21 Data Analysis Procedures............................................................. 25 IV. Results...................................................................................................... 26 Subjects......................................................................................... 26 Weight .......................................................................................... 27 Body Mass Index.......................................................................... 29 Resting Heart Rate........................................................................ 30 Duke Activity Status Index .......................................................... 32 V. Discussion................................................................................................. 49 Conclusion.................................................................................... 51 Recommendations for Future Research........................................ 52 References .................................................................................................................. 53 vii LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Treatment Group Subject Data ................................................................. 22 2. Control Group Subject Data ..................................................................... 23 3. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Weight Treatment) ........................................................................... 27 4. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Control Group)................................................................................. 28 5. Between Group Weight Comparisons, Statistical Results from Vassar Stats ....................................................................................... 30 6. t-Test Comparing Mean Weight Between Groups Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances ........................................................... 31 7. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Paired Two Sample for Means (Treatment Group)............................................................................. 32 8. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Paired Two Sample for Means (Control Group)................................................................................. 33 9. Between Group BMI Comparisons, Statistical Results from Vassar Stats ....................................................................................... 35 10. t-Test Comparing Mean BMI Between Groups Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances ........................................................... 36 11. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Treatment Group)............................................................................. 37 12. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Control Group)................................................................................. 38 viii TABLE PAGE 13. t-Test Comparing Mean RHR Between Groups Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances ........................................................... 40 14. Between Group RHR Comparisons, Statistical Results from Vassar Stats ....................................................................................... 41 15. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Treatment Group)............................................................................. 42 16. Paired t-Test Statistical Results Two Sample for Means (Control Group)................................................................................. 43 17. t-Test Comparing Mean Weight Between Groups Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances ........................................................... 45 18. Between Group DASI Score Comparisons, Statistical Results from Vassar Stats............................................................................... 46 19. Treatment Group Differences ................................................................... 47 20. Control Group Differences ....................................................................... 48 ix LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 1. Activities the Wii Fit Offers by Category................................................. 24 2. Treatment and Control Group Pre/Post Mean Weights ............................ 29 3. Treatment and Control Group Pre/Post Mean BMI Values...................... 34 4.