EA Sports Active Passes Fitness Guidelines, according to Study

A new study conducted by the University of Wisconsin concluded that EA Sports Active and EA Sports Active: More Workouts both pass the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for an effective workout. Results showed that EA Sports Active can “improve aerobic capacity and favorably affect body composition when used on a regular basis as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.”  It's worth noting that the study was commissioned by EA to determine how effective its product line was as a fitness solution.

“ACSM sets key guidelines on what constitutes a healthy, active lifestyle, recommending that individuals perform 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise three days per week, as determined by specific heart rate and oxygen consumption criteria,” said study coordinator Dr. John Porcari, Ph.D, the Executive Director of the La Crosse Exercise and Health Program at the University of. “In terms of the intensity criteria, both workouts tested from EA SPORTS Active were sufficiently intense to be within ACSM guidelines.”

EA is proud of the results, noting that EA Sports Active makes fitness worthwhile and fun at the same time. “We believe that exercise should be a part of every individual’s daily life, and our digital fitness programs are designed to help people make that belief a reality,” said EA Sports Active Executive Producer Tarrnie Williams. “We wanted to put EA SPORTS Active to the test to show people that as fun as the programs can be, they’re going to give you a real, challenging workout.”

The study involved testing 16 physically-active adults between the ages of 25 and 45. The test group was used to determine the “relative exercise intensity and caloric expenditure” of Afterburner and Legs& Lungs, two EA Sports Active workouts. Results showed that both workouts met ACSM guidelines, which recommend that an individual should: exercise between 64% and 94% of their maximum heart rate, 40% to 85% of their maximum oxygen consumption, and burn a minimum of 200-300 calories per workout five days a week.

“Our mission is to promote and integrate scientific research, education and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science,” said ACSM President Jim Whitehead. “We develop guidelines to promote healthy living and are glad to see that EA SPORTS Active meets those guidelines for an effective workout.”

The next title in the EA Sports Active family, EA Sports Active 2, will be available this fall on PlayStation 3, Wii, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The title will be able to track and share data on the new EA Sports Active 2 online website. The game will also include a new ‘Total Body Tracking’ wireless control system, with motion-sensor equipped arm and leg straps and a heart rate monitor.