tenda Health

Key elements of the post:

• How video games affect how tired you feel when you exercise with type-1 diabetes
• The challenges of measuring exercise intensity in video games for people with type-1 diabetes
• Why the old method of rating how tired you feel may not work well for video games
• How to use video games safely and effectively as a way of staying active and healthy with type-1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, you are aware of how crucial it is to check your blood sugar levels both before and after working out. You also understand that whether you are exercising virtually or in real life, you need to modify the intensity.

But how do you measure how hard you’re working out when you’re playing video games?

That is what a group of scientists set out to investigate. They conducted an experiment to compare different approaches to measuring exercise intensity during virtual and in-person workouts.

Their findings suggest that the traditional method of assigning a fatigue score on a scale from 1 to 10 might not be appropriate for video games. They suggest that this method needs to be updated to match the new types of virtual game platforms.

We’ll explain what the researchers did, what they found, and what it means for you if you want to use video games as a way of staying active and healthy.

The Trial: Real vs. Virtual Exercise

The researchers recruited people with type-1 diabetes to perform two 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise, either running or playing the Kinect Adventures! video game.

They measured different indicators of exercise intensity, such as:

• The metabolic equivalent, or MET, measures how much energy you use in comparison to resting.
• Oxygen consumption, which is the amount of oxygen you use to produce energy
• Heart rate, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute.

In addition, they asked the participants to rate their level of fatigue using the widely used 6-to 20-point Borg scale, which gauges perceived exertion.

The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of the Borg scale for video games and how these indicators correlated in in-person and virtual sessions.

The Results: A Mismatch Between Perceived and Actual Intensity

The researchers observed a strong correlation in real exercise but not so much in virtual exercise between the MET values and the Borg ratings. This means that the participants felt more or less the same as they actually worked in real exercise, but not in virtual exercise.

Additionally, they discovered that other measures of exercise intensity, like heart rate and oxygen consumption, were typically low and not particularly significant during virtual exercise.

This indicates that when playing video games, the participants were not exerting as much effort as they believed they were.

The Implications: A Need for a New Scale for Video Games

The researchers concluded that the old 6 to 20 point Borg scale may not be suitable for measuring exercise intensity in video games. They proposed that this scale should be modified to accommodate the emerging categories of online gaming platforms.

Additionally, they emphasized how virtual reality and video games are emerging trends in fitness that can boost adherence to physical activity and serve as sources of motivation. As long as they exercise carefully, they said, these games can also help those who have type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Pooya Soltani, a senior lecturer in games technology at Staffordshire University, said:

“People with type-1 diabetes have to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels before and after working out, to avoid any health risks. They also need to adjust how hard they exercise, whether it’s in real life or in a virtual world.

“Usually, patients use a simple chart to rate how tired they feel on a scale of 1 to 10, from very easy to very hard. This works well for traditional exercise, but we wanted to see if this chart can also work for exercising with video games.”

He added:

“But our research shows that the current 6 to 20 point scale needs to be updated so that everyone can use immersive games safely. Until then, healthcare professionals who want to use virtual games as part of their practice, should use methods like this that measure exercise by how people feel.”

How to Prevent Complications When Playing Fitness Video Games

If you have type 1 diabetes and enjoy playing fitness video games, you do not have to give up your hobby. But in order to minimize the risks, you do need to be aware of them and take some safety measures.

To help you play safely and effectively, consider the following advice:

• Check your blood glucose before, during, and after playing. This will help you detect any changes and adjust your insulin dose or carbohydrate intake accordingly ^{[1, 2, 3]}.
• If you have a glucose monitor, wear it. If not, wear a flash glucose monitor (FGM). These devices can provide real-time feedback on your blood glucose levels and alert you if they are too high or too low [4, 5].
• Use the RPE scale as a guide, but do not use it as your only source of information when gauging your level of exertion. You can also use other methods, such as heart rate monitors, pedometers, or calorie counters, to get a more accurate estimate of your effort and energy expenditure⁶.
• Adapt the RPE scale for virtual exercise platforms. The researchers suggested that the RPE scale should be modified for fitness video games, such as by adding more points or using different descriptors, to better reflect the actual intensity of the activity³.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect your blood glucose levels and make you feel more tired and thirsty⁷.

Have fun and enjoy the benefits of fitness video games. Fitness video games can be a great way to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your quality of life¹. Just remember to play smart and stay safe.

The Takeaway: Be Careful When You Play Video Games

You should exercise caution when using video games as a form of exercise if you have type 1 diabetes. With video games, the traditional way of rating your level of fatigue might not be reliable. Either you might be working too hard, or you might not be working as hard as you think you are.

Exercise intensity must be modified in accordance with blood sugar monitoring. You also need to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

When used responsibly, video games can be an enjoyable and engaging way to maintain an active lifestyle. Employ objective measurements of exercise intensity in addition to your subjective perceptions.

If you want to learn more about the trial and the results, you can read the full paper here.

1. Why fitness video games are great for your brain | Digital Trends
2. Type 1 diabetes – Exercise and sport – NHS
3. Video games can have similar health benefits to jogging
4. How to prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia in Type 1 diabetes?
5. Working Out With Video Games | ADA – American Diabetes Association
6. What to know about exercising with type 1 diabetes – Medical News Today
7. Type 1 Diabetes Exercises: Types, Precautions, and More – Healthline