Computer games can't replace sports

LIVERPOOL, England, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- British researchers say new generation active computer games are no substitute for playing real sports when it comes to physical activity.

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers at Liverpool John Moore's University compared the energy expenditure of adolescents when playing sedentary games on Sony's Xbox 360 system and active computer games on Nintendo's Wii system.

Six boys and five girls aged 13-15 years were included in the study, the university said Friday in a release.

Energy expenditure was increased by 60 kcal per hour during active compared with sedentary gaming.

However, energy expenditure during active gaming was much lower than authentic bowling, tennis and boxing, and was not intense enough to contribute towards the recommended amount of daily physical activity for children, the report said.