Not only is gaming popular with the kids, adults make up close to half of the consumers who buy video games. According to a 2009 Nielson Company report, slightly less than 50 percent of gamers are 18 or older. the Nintendo Wii has tapped into this market by offering active-based controls that allow the user to burn calories while playing. However, there are questions as to how many calories Wii games burn versus more traditional exercise.
Effectiveness
According to the American Council on Exercise, a study conducted at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Exercise and Health Program showed that games simulated on Wii do not burn as many calories as the actual activity. According to the study, Advanced Step and Free Step on the Wii burned an average of 111 calories in 30 minutes of exercise while traditional step aerobics burns closer to 350 calories. A traditional step is six inches or higher whereas the Wii balance pad is only 1 1/2 inches, thereby making up the difference in energy expenditure.
Benefits
Wii Fit offer users the comfort of their own homes versus going to a health club or outdoors. Jogging in place for 30 minutes while using Wii Free Run will burn approximately 165 calories according to the University of Wisconsin La Crosse study. That is 165 more calories burned than not running at all due to weather or loss of daylight. Wii Fit allows you to schedule your workout to your convenience.
Features
An added feature of Wii Fit is the program designed to track the calories you burn while using it and graph your progress. This program has a page for logging your daily calories, entering your weight, figuring your body mass index (BMI) and even educational sections. It offers simulated personal trainers to keep you motivated and even a Wii Fit Age, which tells you the age equivalence of your body.
Considerations
Professor Tim Cable conducted a study at Liverpool John Moores University that found playing a game console with Wii controllers increased energy expenditures and burned more calories versus traditional joystick operating consoles. His study found that during 15 minutes of play, a traditional joystick controller increased energy expenditures by 60 percent while the Wii controllers showed an increase of 156 percent. The games played for entertainment purposes burned more than twice the calories using Wii over the traditional controls.
Significance
The Nielsen Company reports game consoles are played an average of 768 minutes per month. While physically getting out and playing would burn more calories, if kids and adults alike are spending so much time gaming, they will still burn calories even indoors.
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