Exergames, games that make the user to get up and move, are hardly a new phenomenon— remember the Power Pad for NES? But these days they’re making waves as some of the most popular games on the market— and for good reason. Exergames are designed to get users active by simulating a light to moderate intensity workout
Get Your Game On — Why It Matters
Childhood obesity— and obesity in general— has been a central issue in the public sphere for years, contributing to a slew of health problems from diabetes to heart disease. Public concern over the so-called “obesity epidemic” has spurred overhauls of school lunch programs and even the food pyramid, yet it can sometimes still be a struggle to get off the couch. Studies suggest interactive exergames (like Wii Fit or Just Dance, for example) can have a positive health impact, burning calories and getting sedentary gamers more active than traditional games.
One study showed that middle schoolers expended more energy playing the games Dance Dance Revolution, LightSpace, Xavix, Cybex Trazer, and Sportwall than walking at 3 mph (Wii Boxing expended slightly less energy than walking)
Another study of college students found that participants were 30 percent more likely to attend video game-based exercise sessions than traditional sessions
While it’s tempting to desperately grasp onto these positive studies like a sweaty Wii remote during an intense round of bowling, there’s more to the story. While studies agree that exergames beat loafing on the couch, they may not be a realistic substitute for actual exercise. A study of 13 to 15 year olds revealed that while Wii boxing and tennis burned 174 and 179 calories per hour, respectively, actual boxing and tennis burned roughly twice as many (382 and 318, respectively)
Like most good things in life, it all comes down to balance and moderation. Do exergames beat traditional video games and other sedentary activities? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to replace P.E. class or a gym session with video games. Exergames should be used as a complement to a real-world exercise routine, not a complete replacement.