The Nintendo Wii was the first mass-marketed video game console to incorporate human movement into the game play. While games for the Wii include everything from car racing and singing competitions to more traditional fare, it's well-known for sports and fitness games promoted as an alternative to the gym. Depending on the game you're playing and your output of effort, the Wii may -- or may not -- be an effective form of exercise for you.
Wii Sports
The Wii console initially came bundled with the Wii Sports game, enabling you to play sports like baseball, boxing, bowling, golf and tennis. The American Council on Exercise performed a study in 2008 to determine how effective these games were at effectively increasing heart rate and burning calories. They found that, depending on the game played, the heart rate of participants increased to between 50 and 75 percent of heart rate max, and the per-minute calorie burn ranged from 3.9 calories per minute to 7.2 calories per minute. The bowling game was the least strenuous, while boxing was the most strenuous. Overall, researchers believe that playing Wii Sports is better than playing traditional video games, and the boxing game can actually improve your cardiovascular health, but none of the games are as effective a workout as playing the actual sports themselves.
Wii Fit
Shortly after the Wii was released, the Wii Fit was offered as a means to exercise at home while playing video games. This game includes a separate balance board that participants stand, step, dance and perform strength-training movements on. The American Council on Exercise performed a study on the Wii Fit program in 2009 to gauge how effective the cardiovascular exercise options, like Free Step, Free Run, Island Run, Rhythm Boxing and Super Hula Hoop, measured up to other forms of cardio. Sadly, the researchers were disappointed. The participants' heart rates averaged between 49 percent and 60 percent of their maximum, and calorie burn averaged between 3.3 and 5.5 calories per minute. The Free Run and Island Run games were most effective, but they still weren't challenging enough to improve cardiovascular health. Again, the Wii Fit game is a better alternative to sedentary video games, but it shouldn't be used as a person's primary form of exercise.
American Heart Association
In 2010, the American Heart Association teamed up with Nintendo to promote healthy behaviors and active play activities like playing the Wii. According to the American Heart Association, the gaming community needs to be targeted with options for physical activity, and there's some evidence that playing active games can lead to a more active life. In one of the AHA's surveys, 68 percent of active gamers became more active overall and 58 percent started another fitness activity like walking or playing a sport. While the Wii games themselves may not be a sufficient form of exercise, they may be worth the investment if they promote an overall healthier lifestyle.
It's How You Play
During the American Council on Exercise's study of Wii Sports, the researchers noted that it was possible to play the game without moving much. A simple flick of the wrist could often suffice. They instructed their study participants to actively play the game, performing movements just as they would in real life. If you choose to play the game without engaging your whole body, the exercise benefit will diminish further and prevent the Wii from functioning as a form of exercise.
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