Breaking a sweat

Exergaming is popular, especially with children, but just how effective is it?

Children, today, seem to have traded playing in open spaces with gaming consoles and spending time on the Internet. Even adults seem to be exercising less and have adopted consoles like Wii fit to engage in some sort of physical activity. While on one level, it does make exercising fun, it still can’t replace actual workouts.

Obesity levels in kids have shown an alarming rise and in that strain exergaming offers a great option to burn some of those extra calories. A number of studies have been conducted on the affects of exergaming. Some of them have been encouraging while some show mixed reports.

 

For one, energy levels involved in playing normal console games and exergames are substantially higher.

According to Neeraj Sinha, a former fitness expert with a leading sportswear brand, it’s good to see exergames coming up in a big way. “It’s a good substitute for exercises, not as effective but at least you burn some calories,” he says. Sinha goes by the old adage that something is better than nothing!

Exergames come in various categories. For instance, Wii Fit has yoga-based games as well as different workout related games. Even if you play tennis on Wii you will burn quite a few calories. Wii Jog is another concept game which helps you get active.

At consumer electronics shows held all over the world, gaming companies have demonstrated a whole host of new products targeted squarely at the couch-potato video game maniac. The new lot of computer-based games will marry entertainment, technology and fitness to create a bunch of products called exertainment or exergaming machines. For instance, Konami Digital Entertainment offers a digital dance floor. Your footwork is supposed to follow the blinking lights on the digital dance floor, and a short dance can make you break out in a sweat. The machine will even calculate the calories burned based on your height and weight.

Exergaming is here to stay if reports of the Wii Fit sales in India are to be believed. The owner of a console retail outlet in Mumbai says Wii Fit is selling like hot cakes. Are you exergaming too?