University of Houston adds Wii video game classes to get students in shape

A number of schools use Nintendo Wii sports games in recreation programs, and now at The University of Houston students can earn an hour of credit for playing, just as they can for traditional physical activity classes like aerobics, basketball, soccer or weight lifting. Charles Layne, chairman of health and human performance, says the Wii class is another attempt to attract students who otherwise might not exercise at all. Degree programs in Layne's department require one or more fitness classes and they serve as an elective in other degree programs. The Wii Performance class, which is new for the fall semester in the UH department of health and human performance, will be used to improve knowledge of health and fitness; assignments will include tracking the calories they consume and the activities they engage in. So not only will students be participating in physical activities using several of the Wii games, they will also learn about the basic principles of maintaining a healthy body weight through proper nutrition. UH fitness courses reach a whole new level.   http://shcomfitup.blogspot.com/2009/09/wii-fit-classes-begin-to-crop-up.html