Is it possible to replace physical exercise with an engaging video game? A new study conducted in the UK and Brazil gives a promising answer. For people with type 1 diabetes, active video games turned out to be not just entertainment, but also a potential way to improve health. The participants in the experiment demonstrated the same physiological indicators after the game as after a treadmill run. Moreover, the game-based format generated noticeably more enthusiasm. How does this alternative to sports work and what are its possible benefits?
Why physical activity is important for people with diabetes
Physical activity is recognized as one of the key methods of non-pharmacological control of blood glucose levels. Doctors recommend it in combination with diet for type 1 diabetes. Movement helps improve metabolism and reduce insulin resistance.
Nevertheless, maintaining regular activity for months and years is difficult even for a healthy person. For people with chronic diseases, especially young patients, it can be hard to include physical exercise in daily life. According to specialists, the level of adherence in such groups remains consistently low. This poses an additional risk of complications and worsens disease management.
What are exergames and why are they so effective
What is usually meant by video gaming? Primarily, it is long hours of sitting in a chair in front of a PC or on a sofa in front of a TV or with a smartphone in hand. Some games are so engaging that gaming sessions last many hours.
And this is true not only in the context of classic video games, but also in virtual gambling. In preparing this article, our authors studied the preferences of gambling enthusiasts and find here information about the popularity of Crazy Time in many popular online casinos. Users note that despite its simple and even primitive gameplay, the game can keep you engaged for a long time. In the case of crash games or roulette, the process of absorbing the player’s attention is even more intense during gaming sessions.
All this leads to many hours of physical inactivity. And this is one of the factors negatively influencing human health. Fortunately, not all games are the same. And some of them can actually be beneficial.
The term exergames refers to active video games that require body movement for control. The player jumps, bends, moves in space, and the camera tracks their actions. This makes the gaming process physically dynamic.
Games often include a reward system: points, virtual prizes, in-game tasks. Visual feedback also plays an important role, when every effort immediately receives a response. This helps create a sense of engagement and self-competition.
The study used the game Kinect Adventures for Xbox with the Kinect system. This technology tracks the player’s movements and allows for character control without a controller. This format is easy to use and does not require special training.
What data did recent studies show?
The project was carried out by researchers from the University of Bath (UK) and Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (Brazil). They conducted a randomized study involving volunteers with type 1 diabetes.
Participants were divided into two groups. The first did moderate treadmill running, the second played an active video game. The sessions were held twice a week for three weeks.
Physiological measurements were taken in three stages: immediately after the session, after 30 minutes, and after 24 hours. This made it possible to observe both the immediate and delayed response of the body.
The researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption efficiency (the so-called double product), as well as the state of endothelial function—the ability of blood vessels to adapt to stress.
In both cases, there was a steady reduction of blood glucose levels to safe values. Vascular response parameters and cardiovascular performance also improved.
The results were published in the journal Games for Health Journal. According to all physiological indicators, active games produced effects comparable to those of moderate cardio exercise.
Why it was easier for players to stick to the routine
One of the most important observations was the level of participants’ engagement. Those who played reported that the process brought pleasure, excitement, and a desire to repeat it.
The gaming element with points, rewards, and tasks helped not to focus on fatigue. Participants strived to surpass themselves, go further, and earn a new badge. This created intrinsic motivation.
Dr. Pouya Soltani from the University of Bath noted that many patients experience difficulties with regular workouts. This is why exergames can be a valuable tool to support activity—not as a replacement, but as a motivational alternative.
What researchers plan to study next
The next stage will be the study of balance games and virtual reality. Scientists suggest that these formats might be especially beneficial for diabetics with impaired sensation in the legs or coordination issues.
New tests will help find out to what extent VR technologies can support balance, improve stability, and reduce the risk of falls in people with a complicated course of the disease.