Active video game training with and without positive reinforcement on children’s motor skills: a randomized study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effect of positive reinforcement (PR) during active video game (AVG) training on trained motor skills. Materials and Methods: A randomized, blinded clinical trial. Motor skills were evaluated before and after training through four tasks: throwing (Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition, MABC-2); and running, jumping and catching a ball (Performance and Fitness, PERF-FIT). Training occurred on three consecutive days per week, consisting of 20-minute sessions. Participants were divided into two groups: AVG and AVG+PR. Both groups trained using the games Free Run, Obstacle Course, and Baseball from Wii Fit. The AVG+PR group received positive feedback during training. Results: Twelve children aged 9 to 10 years were trained (5 in the AVG group and 7 in the AVG+PR group). There were no statistical differences between the training groups or between pre- and post-training regarding the four evaluated tasks. Conclusion: These training protocols were insufficient to promote changes in motor skills after the intervention. Furthermore, the results were similar for both training methods.