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Video Games as Physical Activity
In 2006
video game sales were an estimated $7.4 billion, so it is safe to say
that almost every home in the United States has at least a computer
and/or some other video gaming unit. With this many gaming consoles
children are spending more time indoors playing video games instead of
outside playing or participating in athletic programs. This is a
concerning trend since during childhood, physical exercise through
different games at school and after school such as football, basketball,
soccer, and tennis is crucial in laying the foundation for muscle
building and bone strengthening. Regular physical activity as a child
benefits a person as they get older, allowing them to live longer
healthier lives, and without exercise people develop more physical
ailments such as aches and pains, weak bones, even heart problems.
Before home
computers and Nintendo, children spent more time outside engaging in
their favorite games and other exercises. This routine has taken a
beating with the advent of computers, video games and the internet. With
loads of computer games and simulations to indulge in, children rarely
prefer to play outdoors these days. Instead, most of them spend hours on
end in their bedrooms gaming, sometimes as much as 6-8 hours without
pause, but, what can we do to change this potentially dangerous trend?
Force them to indulge in physical activities?
If you
think that advice is the best way to bring about some sort of physical
activity, you are mistaken. Coercing your children into some sort of
athletics does not work. Instead of fighting the problem, look for a
solution. Researchers have come up with the idea of 'exergames' or
'exertainment' machines to help children achieve all of the positive
results of physical exercise, while not compromising on the excitement
and charm that computer games provide. In other words, these are video
games that incorporate various workouts in a compelling and interesting
manner. This includes mountain bikes with ride simulation video screens
that create a game environment with virtual competitors; monitoring
mechanisms with visuals to track vertical jumps; and rock climbing set
up with video simulations that prompt climbers to dodge obstacles or hop
over hurdles.
In a few
cities, some health clubs have joined the trend and introduced
exertainment machines into their gyms and have reported that their
membership strength is soaring with every passing day. Apart from the
above mentioned exertainment features, many of these gyms are also
equipped with video game consoles that require users to stand up and
move their hands and legs in order to move controls, engaging the torso
muscles. This fact has been substantiated by a recent study in the
Pediatrics journal, which concluded that children playing video games
that require continuous movement actually expended twice the amount of
energy than playing a game on the TV while sitting stationary. Such
exergames are good for children with short attention spans and who
naturally are reluctant to indulge in sport activities like playing ball
or running.
Other
equipments and features found in gyms include
recumbent bikes with
simulators;
Dance Dance Revolution, the digital dance floor that can
even calculate the calories you burn in a dancing session; car racing
video games that require the player to balance, much like a ski machine;
and patented software exertainment packages such as NeoRacer,
Yourself! Fitness, ExerStation/Kilowatt, Expresso Fitness S2, EyeToy,
PlayMotion,
Nintendo Wii and Gamercize, to name a few.
The most
interesting part of exergames is that it is beneficial for all classes
of people, not just children, even though most adults have taken the
view that exergames are for children and are therefore reluctant to try
them. As a result of this hesitation certain gym chains are trying to
convince adults through mass marketing initiatives such as advertising
and lectures. Experts feel that this reluctance is only an initial
hiccup. This same reluctance occurred when computers were first
introduced. As it was then, adults will slowly get used to the new
methods of exercise.
So have
sports video games replaced actual sports as entertainment for children?
Unfortunately for the most part, the answer to this question is yes.
However you do not have to let it affect the physical health of your
children. While you can encourage them to exercise by buying video games
that involve physical activity like
Dance Dance Revolution, you can also
encourage them to participate in different athletic programs by joining
in; attend every one of their games, volunteer as a coach, practice in
the yard with them before/after dinner, become an active part of your
child's life and you will automatically improve their overall health, as
well as your own.
Awesome Video Exercise Products Below, To Have fun and
Lose Weight, Just think how great and fun it will be for you and your
kids.
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