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Wii Fit for the Whole Family
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TV makes you fat, but video games don't have to. In the case of Nintendo's Wii Fit, playing games could actually improve your fitness.
"Anything that gets kids and adults moving more and away from sitting on the couch is a step in the right direction," says Kevin Elsey, curriculum manager for Athletes' Performance.
Research shows that kids are more likely to stick with an exercise program if it includes a virtual element. UK researchers recently found that interactive video games, or "exer-gaming," can work well for adults, too. The researchers found that those people who were less fit actually enjoyed video-based workouts more than traditional routines.
But Elsey is quick to point out that the short- and long-term benefits of any exercise game depend on a number of factors, including whether or not it:
- Promotes physical activity in a positive way
- Builds healthy habits for kids
- Motivates you to succeed
If your kids enjoy Dance Dance Revolution, by all means, encourage it. But as an increasing number of American schools turn to D.D.R. and other virtual games as ally in the fight against childhood obesity, it's important to note that a failing physical education system still needs more help.
"I'm heartened by the fact that video games are becoming more interactive and fitness-oriented," says Brian Grasso, founder and CEO of the International Youth Conditioning Association. "But reclaiming our physical culture is about instilling a lifelong love for activity that extends into adulthood and involves the kind of physical stimulus that kids need."
Grasso says kids should move in multiple directions and all planes of movement. Problem is, even in the most advanced forms, video games typically offer a limited field for those skills to be developed. "At best, you're looking at moving within a few square feet, and that's just not good enough."
Another hurdle for the exergaming community is the eventual point at which you master the game or glean all the fun out of it. "What happens then?" asks Grasso. "With no valid progressions and advancements in curriculum and no instruction on how to perform things properly, kids run the risk of becoming bored with the product and not having any viable alternatives."
So should you buy the Wii Fit? That's up to you, of course, but also ask yourself this: Are you showing your kids how to live a healthy, active life? Your example counts.
About The Author
Scott Quill – Scott Quill is Editor-in-Chief of CorePerformance.com. Before joining Athletes' Performance, he was Fitness Editor of Men's Health magazine.
