Winter
is over and the sprouting leaves and chirping birds tell us it is time
to get fit again. However, the weather may not yet be conducive to
swimming, running or cycling outside for those of us who dislike the
cold spring air. The alternative, then, is the fitness center. But is it
the only alternative? What about exergaming?
Exergaming
is a portmanteau of “exercise” and “gaming”. It includes physically
active videogames, such as aerobics, balance and stretching, as well as
other recreational activities (e.g. tennis, bowling, dancing), and
promises to increase the fun quotient of getting fit. The release (ten years ago!)
of Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Kinect into the gaming market has been
followed by the growing popularity of these innovative video games.
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| Source : Sergey Galyonkin, via Flickr |
A
study compared the effects of 30 minutes of brisk walking on a
treadmill to playing Wii Fit "Free Run" on college students [1]. The
results showed that the maximum heart rate and energy demand of the
participants were significantly higher in the Wii Fit group than in the
treadmill group. Moreover, the students perceived exercising with Wii
Fit as more physically demanding, but rated their post-exercising
well-being lower than when walking on the treadmill. The study concludes
that the Wii Fit may be an alternative to traditional
moderate-intensity exercises.
Exergames increase the fun quotient of getting fit
Further
studies show that exergaming promotes physical activity, reduces body
fat and a sedentary lifestyle [2, 3]. Even though pros acknowledge that
virtual workouts may not be as efficient as real life intense exercise,
and hence will not turn a couch potato into a “bikini body”, exergaming
can certainly play a role in leading a healthy lifestyle!
[1] Douris et al., J Strength Cond. Res, 2012
[2] Lamboglia et al., J Obes, 2013
[3] Höchsmann et al., Sports Med, 2015
by Valérie Boujon, PhD Student AG Endres
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