Is Using the Wii Good Enough Exercise? at He's Fit

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Is Using the Wii Good Enough Exercise?

Posted January 2, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Fitness, Alt. Therapies, His Gear & Apparel, Reviews, His Health, Physical Health

wii Is Nintendo Wii the workout routine for this generation? Since Nintendo introduced the Wii in the fall of 2006, it has gained widespread popularity, causing parents to search high and low to find one for their kids. Using remote-controlled device that senses motion makes gamers simulate the motion of rolling a bowling ball or using a tennis racket.

Research shows that the simulation used to play the game burns more calories than the other sedentary game systems, where you use buttons and joysticks to control the game. A study conducted by Liverpool John Moores University took six boys and five girls between the ages of 13 and 15. The researchers strapped a calorie counting device to all the kids while they played Xbox 360 and then Nintendo Wii. It turns out that the kids burned up to 66% more calories playing Wii tennis compared to playing Xbox 360 games.

While playing Wii gives a child more of a workout than playing a sedentary game system, playing games such as Wii tennis did not burn nearly as many calories as playing real sports outdoors. The kids in the study burned about 179 calories per hour playing Wii tennis, but an actual game of tennis expends about 270 calories an hour.

Although Wii games are do not give children all of the recommended exercise they need, they are a vast improvement from traditional games because they allow the use of motor skills and movements that are not available in other games. Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports and exercise on a regular basis and not rely on Wii to give them all of their exercise. They should think of Wii games as a fun supplement to their child’s usual physical activities.

Research sources and for more information: [NY Times]; [picture]

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Tags: childhood obesity, children, christmas, christmas presents, exercise, fitness, health, men, men's health, nintendo, nintendo wii, sports, tennis, workout

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8 Responses to “Is Using the Wii Good Enough Exercise?” (Leave a reply)

katie from US said:

Thank you for writing up this article about Wii and children’s fitness. I work on behalf of New York Kids Club and feel that our facility offers children a chance to exert energy at a far greater level than a video game console. I hope parents are not serious about giving into children’s video game obsession and letting them solely get their exercise at home in front of a TV. I have seen a number of new articles from parents raving about how much Wii works out the family. Its limiting and does not let the children get out and socialize beyond select group of friends. My only hope is that parents continue to encourage their children to get out and play sometimes.

Katie
http://www.nykidsclub.com
January 15, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Megan said:

Katie,
Thanks for your comment! I completely agree with you. Thank you for taking such pride in the work that you do for kids in New York. Obesity prevention is critical, especially right now.
Thanks again from all of us at Hesfit!
January 15, 2008 at 02:01 PM
katie from US said:

Children’s obesity is a top concern at New York Kids Club and we are always encouraging parents to give their children a love for fitness. The ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal even stated that exercise programs for children is #2 for their forecast of 2008 Fitness trends. If any parent in the Manhattan area would like more information about NYKC, please check out the links below for a family fun day that is free to community members.

Thanks Again!
Katie
http://nykcbloggerparty.smnr.us
http://www.nykidsclub.com
January 15, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Free Flash Games said:

If you are talking about mental excercise, than yes it can be
May 28, 2008 at 10:46 PM
mini free games said:

Hillcrest Labs’s patented technology is called Freespace. It’s a motion-control technology that senses motion in three dimensions and translates human motions into on–screen cursor movement—not unlike Nintendo’s Wii.
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September 26, 2008 at 03:00 AM
flash games said:

We liked a large and striking portrait in the Lisbon weekly Expresso. The story concerned what lies ahead for Portugal in 2008. Analysts Jorgé Pacheco Pereira and António Barreto were pictured, seemingly life-size, while chatting in a hotel garden. Suddenly, we became the third person in their private conversation. Expresso regularly displayed this kind of intimacy and crafty intelligence.
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October 4, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Janet from Miami said:

Nintendo Wii the workout routine is a wonderful invention, it may not work for everybody but for kids it is worth trying out.
October 19, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Erin from Chapel Hill said:

I think the Wii is a great creation and can help tremendously with hand/eye co-ordination for Tennis, Baseball and other offline sports. I do call into question the idea children only burn 270 calories playing tennis for a full hour, I think it is closer to 450 or 500 even for kids.

The other thing worth bringing up is the wii fit, which offers a variety of intermediate and advanced exercise routines (these need to be unlocked, see: http://gamecheats.com/nintendo-wii/wii-fit) this takes exercise and makes it fun for children and adults alike. I would be interested to see your take on it.
December 23, 2008 at 01:09 AM