Seventy percent of the population does not exercise enough, according to the American Heart Association. Counteract this with video fitness games. Benefits of video fitness games ranges from bringing people together to increasing your body awareness. Action-based fitness games can help counteract lack time, resources or motivation excuses for not exercising. Fitness video games can turn a humdrum exercise routine into an exciting, motivational event. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Part of Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
Physical activity is a component of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Playing fitness video games fits into the physical activity category, according to the American Heart Association. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices help to improve cardiovascular health and involve seven areas. In addition to increasing physical activity, the simple heart-healthy areas include controlling cholesterol, managing blood pressure, weight management, lowering blood sugar, eating a heart-healthy diet and avoiding tobacco use.
Increased Accessibility
Fitness video games offer an opportunity for physically challenged people to get more activity. Many real-life activities, such as bowling and/or skiing, cannot be performed by those confined to wheelchairs, having physical limitations or relying upon walking aides. Video games offer the opportunity to get involved in various sports that otherwise would be off limits or cost prohibitive.
Helps With Weight Management
Fitness video games can be an integral part of your weight management program. You set your calorie-burning goals, choose an activity and let the game inform you of your daily progress, according to Nintendo. Each activity is assigned an intensity level. The intensity level, activity duration and your body weight combine to form the total calories burned. Games can help you keep track of your calories, how much you consume and how you intake.
Combines Fun And Exercise
Lack of fun is a leading reason people give for not exercising. Fitness video games counteract this by being a fun and entertaining way to get physical activity, according to the American Heart Association. Choosing from a variety of action-based sports prevents boredom. Enjoying an activity decreases your boredom rate, making it easier to stay physically active. Video games can provide social fun by being played with friends and family.
Promotes Physical Activity
Playing video fitness games is a way of promoting physical activity. Irregardless of which exercise you choose, body movement is involved, according to the American Heart Association. Fitness games include different training modes including balancing exercises, aerobics, individual or team sports, yoga, muscle strengthening and flexibility maneuvers. Fitness video games can spark your interest in becoming more physically active in other non-video-related activities. Or, your physical activity program can center around the games.
Provides All-Weather Activity
Weather is not an excuse for not exercising with a fitness video game. Fitness video games can be played in all weather types. Play a seasonal winter sport, such as skiing, indoors during summer using a fitness video game. On rainy days, replace your outdoor walking with indoor video sports. Physical activity can be year-round playing video fitness games. (see ref 4)
References
- American Heart Association: Get Informed, Empowered and Get Active
- American Heart Association and Nintendo: Getting Active
- Nintendo: Calorie Check
- American Heart Association and Nintendo: Working Together
- Nintendo: American Heart Association and Nintendo Join Forces to Promote Healthy Living
- Nintendo: WiiFit Plus
Member Comments