Gamers: The Next Health Enthusiasts?

By Lynda

Thanks to “exergaming” the notion of exercise combined with computer games – you may be ready for the beach before you know it.

Earlier this month, Nintendo launched the Wii Fit – a series of mini games which includes four types of physical exercise: yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance. Each game features short workouts, from 1 to 10 minutes, including pushups, skiing, jogging and even hula hooping.

While the Wii Fit has gained positive praise from health communities in Europe, Japan and now the US – it’s not the first gaming technology aimed to improve our health. Remember Dance Dance Revolution? The music video game has helped players lose as much as 200 pounds.

Outside the living room, the medical community is also exploring how video games can aid in rehab and physical therapy – At the 2008 Games for Health conference earlier this month, medical and healthcare professionals explored the use of Guitar Hero to aid arm amputee rehabilitation and a specially designed version of the Wii to aid balance and mobility in Parkinson’s patients.

It’s too early to say how much impact gaming technology will have on the health community and our waistlines – In the meantime, I’ll try the Wii Tennis game and report back any improvement in my back hand and you do the same, do you have the Wii Fit? Will you try exergaming in place of your traditional routine?

Add comment May 30th, 2008