ENERGY-EXPENDITURE IN ADOLESCENTS DURING LOW-INTENSITY, LEISURE ACTIVITIES

We sought to determine how a stationary activity such as playing a str inged instrument may affect energy expenditure (EE) in adolescents. Us ing automated indirect calorimetry, we measured EE in eight adolescent s (1 male, 7 females, 14.2 +/- 2.1 yr) while they each performed the f ollowing activities: watching television (TV) (60 min), playing a stri nged instrument (60 min), and walking at 40% of peak oxygen uptake (43 min). Measurements were made during three, 6- to 7-min steady state p eriods of each activity. EE (mean +/- SD) was lower during TV (1.0 +/- 0.2 kcal . min(-1)) and instrument playing (1.4 +/- 0.2 kcal . min(-1 ))than during walking (3.4 +/- 0.4 kcal . min(-1)) (P < 0.05). EE duri ng instrument playing was 41% greater than during television viewing ( P < 0.05). We conclude that relatively sedentary activities such as pl aying a stringed instrument can elevate EE. Conceivably, other station ary, leisure activities performed by adolescents may increase EE and h ave substantial, cumulative effects on long-term energy balance and fa t accretion.