Introduction: A high fat meal transiently decreases endothelial function, while acute aerobic exercise improves endothelial function. Although studies suggest that acute aerobic exercise attenuates high fat meal induced endothelial dysfunction, but it is not clear whether an active video game could attenuate endothelial dysfunction after a high fat meal. Active video games are now highly popular and play a role in promoting physical activity. We tested the hypothesis that an active video game would partially prevent the unfavorable effect of endothelial function by high fat meal in young adults.
Methods: Using a randomized cross over design, sixteen healthy young subjects (male 9, female 7; age 24±4 yrs, BMI 22.4±2.1kg/m2) were assigned to both an active video game (60 minutes) as a model to physical activity and a seated rest as a physical inactivity after a high fat meal. Cholesterols and triglyceride were measured as markers of blood lipid and endothelial function was measured by brachial artery flow mediated dilation. These variables were measured at baseline, 3 and 5 hours after high fat meal.
Results: Blood triglyceride levels were similarly increased in two treatment conditions after a high fat meal and did not significantly different between two groups (left figure). Brachial artery flow mediated dilation was decreased after a high fat meal in the group with seated rest, but increased in the group with active video game at 3hr after a high fat meal. However, there was no significantly different between two groups (right figure).
Conclusions: These findings show that a high fat meal caused a temporary decrease in endothelial function, but these decreases were not significantly attenuated in the group with active video game compare to the group with seated rest. Therefore, active video game may not have a cardioprotective effect in young healthy adults exposed to acute high fat meal.
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