Pilot Study of an Active Screen Time Game Correlates with Improved Physical Fitness in Minority Elementary School Youth

Abstract Objective: The aim of our feasibility study was to examine the acceptability and utility of “Dance Dance Revolution” (DDR) (Konami of America, Redwood City, CA)) to increase physical fitness in 8–11-year-old black and Hispanic youth. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-eight 4th and 5th grade children attending an afterschool program participated. Outcomes included physical activity, physical fitness, use of home DDR, survey of safety and acceptability, anthropometrics, and fasting metabolic profile measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 30 weeks. Results: At 12 weeks, physical fitness (maximum O2 uptake [VO2max]) increased by 4.9±9.9 percent and was sustained through 30 weeks, when the VO2max was 105.0±9.9 percent (range, 93.0–133.9 percent) of baseline values. Absolute VO2max increased by 2.97±4.99 mL/kg/minute (95% confidence interval 0.75–5.19, P=0.013). Participants maintained an average of 1.12 hours/day of increased movement to music. Trends suggested increased total moderate–vigorous physical activ...