Evaluation of the Impact in the Physical Condition of School Age Children Exposed to an Intervention of Exergaming in Montemorelos Mexico

摘要

The current epidemiological situation of overweight and obesity in Mexico has been extensively documented and analyzed. Studies define the situation as a metabolic and inflammatory disease, of chronic course, multifactorial and with high impact on public health. For the treatment of this multifactorial phenomenon, strategies have been proposed focused in the promotion and health education of the target audience, seeking at medium-and long term, to prevent and eventually achieve the reduction of this epidemic situation. The school age population is particularly at high risk, with consequences ranging from psychological areas, school performance and organic malfunctioning that could emerge during the lifetime of the individual. The overweight and obesity appears to be related to environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyle. The improvement of the physical condition through physical activity is a challenge in these new generations. Considering the sociological features of school age population (6-12 years), their general technological familiarity implied in this age group and their tendency toward virtual interactions, an initiative of using video game platforms was designed performed, in order to promote physical activity (Exergaming). In addition, an evaluation of the impact in the physical condition on the participants through standardized anthropometric and physical performance tests was made, via pre and pos testing. Results shows that there is a significant difference in variables related to flexibility, strength and body composition in a such a way, that opens the possibility to consider this type of virtual tools as an option for physical training in school age children.