New research shows Nintendo Wii really does get you active
Depending on what game you or your kids are playing, new research shows that Wii video games can provide moderate intensity exercise.
A new study, funded by Nintendo, concluded that one-third of the games and activities included in Wii fit and Wii sports offer a user moderate intensity exercise, which is comparable to jogging, bike riding, or swimming. According to American Heart Association’s news release, these games and activities “require an energy expenditure of 3.0 METs or above, considered moderate-intensity exercise. METs are metabolic equivalent values, a standard method of estimating energy expenditure.” The study then goes on to say that researchers found that:
• Nine activities had less than 2 METs.
• Twenty-three activities had 2–3 METs.
• Nine activities had 3–4 METs.
• Five activities had more than 4 METs.
With 5.6 METs, Wii fit’s Single-Arm Stand strength training exercise was the most effective. For Wii sports, boxing was the best activity (about 4.5 METs).
When it comes to active video games, I have the “it’s better than nothing” opinion. If my son is going to play video games anyway, ones that get his heart pumping to some degree – and no, fighting a Brute in Halo 3 doesn’t count – are better than him sitting on his rump exercising nothing but his thumbs. With that said, I don’t think anything can replace real physical activity and the benefits that come with it in addition to staying fit, such as teamwork, socializing, getting out of the house, etc. What do you think? Are you more inclined to allow your child more screen time as long as they’re playing active video games, or do you think that it doesn’t matter what they’re doing in front of the screen, a video game is a video game, no matter how much energy they’re burning?
Filed Under: Health > News
Tags: active video games, American Heart Association, research, Wii fit, Wii Sports
I love NIntendo Wii. I love their effort to create something that will get the players out of their couches. Genius!
(Report comment)
WII cannot replace getting out and doing something good for yourself and others too. Through martial arts, I learned the basics of Japanese, and now speak and write fluently the language. I’ve Made life long friendships, have continued into the art of traditional Gong Foo (the true name and pronunciation of the Americanized Kung Fu) and now have more friends mostly Asian and I have learned and speak and write fluent Mandarin Chinese.
Since high school I have been into weightlifting and later bodybuilding, nobody disrespects me, intentionally that is. I have made more great life long friends who at the drop of a hat are excited to go zip lining, hiking ..Etc. In times of need my strength and endurance has brought relief to others in need. I have help those less fortunate to navigate icy sidewalks, trained seniors in strength training giving them greater autonomy though out the rest of their lives, they have greater confidence and abilities to deal with simple things like getting the groceries into the house, walking in winter on snow or ice.
In spare time, I am into learning and perfecting new techniques for katas, language, kinesiology, sciences, and mathematics. This is an amazing world, if your bored take a flight to another country and see how blessed you are to be Canadian or American or Western.
WII is a copout for the majority of parents and children who have learned to be super lazy. A quick and simple mathematical model shows the following:
Average time wasted in front of a TV: Please Note This is an Average.
4 HRS per Day: (7(Days)) = 28 HRS per Week
28 Hours per Week: (52(Weeks)) = 1,456 HRS per Year
1,456/24 HRS = 60.666 Days per Year
60.666 Days per Year = 2 Months and 6.6 Days per Year of Totally Wasted Time!
Is this what you want your life to be, in this amount of time you can over the year learn a new anything and do it while getting super healthy and fit, making you the envy of the majority. If you really want to be special and unique, get off your ass and as far away from a TV as possible and be a positive influence on others.
Respectfully,
Phil
(Report comment)
you are lazy bum
(Report comment)
you are lazy bum and wii rocks
(Report comment)
i am surprised you have time for this post…or the computer at all. lol
(Report comment)
You are obviously special and unique,you must also be the envy of the majority.
(Report comment)
PHIL,,,,this is not a page fro bragging, good for you. Not all of us have the time or money for all your experience…Any work out is better than none..
i agree with your Jerry….go man
(Report comment)
haha…is this phil guy for real…what a d-bag…oh great phil , we bow to you !!!
(Report comment)
Wow someone has alot of spare time on their hands to post their life story…
(Report comment)
Not bragging guys just saying I think most people spend way too much time in front of a TV, when there is so much more to life. The reason that I posted four days ago is that I work through my computer for several hours a day, then it is out to see clients, writing only takes a minute or two.
Just for the record, I am not calling anyone in particular down, just want the best that life has to offer for each of us. Rich or poor we can all build our bodies and minds to be the best we can be. That kind of mentality has taken many people out of the dungeons of the hood.
Thanks for the feedback I’ll not sound so preachy, next time, I declare myself dethroned. lol
D
(Report comment)
Your blog is a very good blog. Thanx for all your posts. I hope you ll post more soon. Regards.
(Report comment)
Another good article you post here.I m waiting for others to share it with my friends.
(Report comment)
Your blog is a very good blog. Thanx for all your posts. I hope you ll post more soon. Regards.
(Report comment)
Nintendo Wii is the best!
Great post..
(Report comment)
Great news that Wii is getting people up and moving.
(Report comment)