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You are also invoted to view our ExergamesUnlocked website, where you’ll find the best and most effective exergames, as well as strategies and recommendations on using them with different audiences and in different locations.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Seeking Game-Changing Solutions to Childhood Obesity
It seems recently the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted a workshop to gather insight from leading experts in the fields of gaming and technology to inform the development of a nutrition game-design challenge.
The Healthy Kids Challenge is a call to American entrepreneurs, software developers, and students to use a recently released USDA nutrition data set to create innovative, fun, and engaging web-based learning applications that motivate kids, and their parents, to eat more healthfully and be more physically active.
Some of the major design-related themes that emerged from the Workshop are:
Goal - potential for games – powered by nutrition data – to change behavior in our target segment
Incentives - government limitations on the size of the prize ($3000)
Final Products - spectrum of potential final products (ideas, game story boards, working prototypes, and market-ready
“final” products)
Commitment - incorporating nutrition data in already-developed games, faculty assigning class time towards building
nutrition games, or organizations spreading the word about the contest.
The Healthy Kids Challenge is a call to American entrepreneurs, software developers, and students to use a recently released USDA nutrition data set to create innovative, fun, and engaging web-based learning applications that motivate kids, and their parents, to eat more healthfully and be more physically active.
Some of the major design-related themes that emerged from the Workshop are:
Goal - potential for games – powered by nutrition data – to change behavior in our target segment
Incentives - government limitations on the size of the prize ($3000)
Final Products - spectrum of potential final products (ideas, game story boards, working prototypes, and market-ready
“final” products)
Commitment - incorporating nutrition data in already-developed games, faculty assigning class time towards building
nutrition games, or organizations spreading the word about the contest.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ExerGames: Not Just Another Health Craze!
The author, Katt Mollar in this article, examines exergames and how they can help the global epidemic of obesity, which she refers to as "globesity".
Obesity is a global epidemic and serious public health problem. Research has shown that obesity increases the risks for many diseases from cardiovascular disorders, to arthritis, to sleep disorders and cancer and it can be associated with serious psychosocial problems.
Research was undertaken and revealed that children were six times more likely to take to exercise if it involved a video game.
There have been several studies examining exergaming in the past couple of years, some key findings included:
(1) Calories burned and heart rates increase after engaging in exergames when compared with seated video games.
(2) The amount of energy spent doing exergames is equivalent to doing moderate-intensity walking.
(3) Although the energy spent in exergaming doubles that when doing seated video gaming, the former does not equal the energy used to doing the sport itself.
(4) Little movement is better than no movement.
But a very important point the author makes in her article is - if the choice is between moving and not moving at all then the alternative of exergaming is indeed preferable.
Obesity is a global epidemic and serious public health problem. Research has shown that obesity increases the risks for many diseases from cardiovascular disorders, to arthritis, to sleep disorders and cancer and it can be associated with serious psychosocial problems.
Research was undertaken and revealed that children were six times more likely to take to exercise if it involved a video game.
There have been several studies examining exergaming in the past couple of years, some key findings included:
(1) Calories burned and heart rates increase after engaging in exergames when compared with seated video games.
(2) The amount of energy spent doing exergames is equivalent to doing moderate-intensity walking.
(3) Although the energy spent in exergaming doubles that when doing seated video gaming, the former does not equal the energy used to doing the sport itself.
(4) Little movement is better than no movement.
But a very important point the author makes in her article is - if the choice is between moving and not moving at all then the alternative of exergaming is indeed preferable.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Weight loss success with a video game
One woman lost 33 pounds with the help of a video game. That video game is EA Sports Active. At first she was skeptical that a video game could help her to lose weight, but she took the program seriously and also watched what she ate. She completed the 30-day challenge in the game 3 times, eventually leading to her 33-pound weight loss. Throughout her challenges she began to combine the Active workouts with walks and even some running, which helped her to build up endurance. Her success with EA Sports Active inspired her to engage in other kinds of exercise with her friends. She even became a community leader when EA Sports Active community announced their plan to host a 5K run, and she's currently leading a challenge in her community so that she and her neighbors can help support and motivate one another to become more fit and healthy. She says that EA Sports Active helped her build confidence she didn't know she had
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wii Fit Plus users invited to use Twin Galaxies
According to this press release, Twin Galaxies International, the video game scorekeeping organization founded in 1981, is inviting users of the popular Wii Fit Plus by Nintendo to participate in it's scoreboard database.
"Twin Galaxies hopes that Wii Fit Plus users of all ages will record and submit to our database," Patrick Scott Patterson, a Division Manager for Twin Galaxies, said. "It is our hope that people sharing their goals and accomplishments will help users set new fitness challenges for themselves and others."
For information on how to record and submit your Wii Fit Plus accomplishments and for official Twin Galaxies rankings, visit the Twin Galaxies website. Signing up only takes a few minutes and it's completely free. Twin Galaxies also accepts data submission for other Wii fitness games.
"Twin Galaxies hopes that Wii Fit Plus users of all ages will record and submit to our database," Patrick Scott Patterson, a Division Manager for Twin Galaxies, said. "It is our hope that people sharing their goals and accomplishments will help users set new fitness challenges for themselves and others."
For information on how to record and submit your Wii Fit Plus accomplishments and for official Twin Galaxies rankings, visit the Twin Galaxies website. Signing up only takes a few minutes and it's completely free. Twin Galaxies also accepts data submission for other Wii fitness games.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Nintendo Wii Balance Board could prevent falls
A study, led by Dr Ross Clark of the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne, which compared the balance data derived from the Nintendo Wii Balance Board with the data collected from a laboratory grade force plate, a metal based system which typically costs more than $20,000, found that the Nintendo Wii Balance Board collects data comparable to the force plate. The study concluded that The Nintendo Wii Balance Board could be a far cheaper alternative than professional diagnostic tests for clinicians to test balance in elderly partners or in patients with neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wii therapy in Columbus: From rehabilitation to special education
Tim Barrett, Columbus Special Education Examiner, writes about a hospital in Columbus Ohio, which has introduced the use of the Nintendo Wii to help people undergoing therapy to rebuild their muscles following a stroke, brain damage or spinal cord trauma.
In his article he also lists six examples of the benefits emerging from Wii play:
1. The Wii can divert the attention of the subject off of the pain associated with movement making it easier to do the movement.
2. "Virtual PE" from a wheelchair is possible in special needs classrooms.
3. Teachers, specialists and assistants often hold and assist the student with the Wii remote to model movement, the swing, roll, punch, etc.
4. Better circulation of limbs is occurring.
5. Games support eye/hand coordination and students are able to "whack the ball out of the park" on the Wii.
6. Color and shape recognition is increasing.
In his article he also lists six examples of the benefits emerging from Wii play:
1. The Wii can divert the attention of the subject off of the pain associated with movement making it easier to do the movement.
2. "Virtual PE" from a wheelchair is possible in special needs classrooms.
3. Teachers, specialists and assistants often hold and assist the student with the Wii remote to model movement, the swing, roll, punch, etc.
4. Better circulation of limbs is occurring.
5. Games support eye/hand coordination and students are able to "whack the ball out of the park" on the Wii.
6. Color and shape recognition is increasing.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Select Target stores feature Wii Fit Plus Experience demo with Nintendo
Nintendo and Target are teaming up for the “Wii Fit Experience” which will be held in the parking lot or entrance of the stores January 16-31, at select locations. Those who complete the Wii Fit Plus demo will receive a $15 gift card (while supplies last), which can be applied toward any Target purchase. The Wii Fit Experience can be found at the following locations:
Jan. 16-17
2705 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
3201 Preston Rd
Frisco, TX 75034
1525 Market Place Blvd.
Cumming, GA 30041
Jan. 23-24
1800 W. Empire Ave.
Burbank, CA 91504
2200 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
15005 SW 88th St.
Miami, FL 33196
Jan. 30-31
24425 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
25901 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
100 Perimeter Center Place
Atlanta, GA 30346
The nine locations mentioned above will feature eight kiosks where visitors can get a demonstration of the Wii Fit plus. “The Wii Fit Plus sampling events give our guests the opportunity to try out this popular fitness game before making a purchase,” said Mark Schindele, senior vice president of Target.
Jan. 16-17
2705 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
3201 Preston Rd
Frisco, TX 75034
1525 Market Place Blvd.
Cumming, GA 30041
Jan. 23-24
1800 W. Empire Ave.
Burbank, CA 91504
2200 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
15005 SW 88th St.
Miami, FL 33196
Jan. 30-31
24425 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
25901 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
100 Perimeter Center Place
Atlanta, GA 30346
The nine locations mentioned above will feature eight kiosks where visitors can get a demonstration of the Wii Fit plus. “The Wii Fit Plus sampling events give our guests the opportunity to try out this popular fitness game before making a purchase,” said Mark Schindele, senior vice president of Target.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Pokemon pedometer
Can Pokémon end childhood obesity?
Nintendo has revealed the Pokéwalker - a pedometer that interacts with the Nintendo DS via infrared, which will accompany the European release of Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version in March. Players can transfer any of their Pokémon into the Pokéwalker and then train them by taking them for an actual walk.
For every step you take while wearing the PokeWalker the transferred Pokémon will gain experience and happiness, eventually leveling up when a certain amount of steps are reached. So walking around a lot will mean you can do better in the game therefore creating a direct link between playing and exercise.
Nintendo has revealed the Pokéwalker - a pedometer that interacts with the Nintendo DS via infrared, which will accompany the European release of Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version in March. Players can transfer any of their Pokémon into the Pokéwalker and then train them by taking them for an actual walk.
For every step you take while wearing the PokeWalker the transferred Pokémon will gain experience and happiness, eventually leveling up when a certain amount of steps are reached. So walking around a lot will mean you can do better in the game therefore creating a direct link between playing and exercise.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Versatility of programs using the Wii for rehabilitation and exercise
Reported in the U.K. Sun was a story about Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security institution in Britain, home to serial killers, rapists, and murderers recently receiving Wii’s purchased by taxpayer money. A spokesperson for the center said that the Wii and Wii Fit were important for their patient’s mental and physical rehabilitation programs and part of a strategy to increase exercise. As you can imagine, this news is causing quite a bit controversy with Britain’s citizens, many wondering if it's right for society to pay to entertain these patients. But it does go to show you the versatility of programs using the Wii for rehabilitation and exercise.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Economy will drive 2010 fitness trends - exergaming to prevail
According to a new report by Reuters, exercise trends in 2010 will change greatly due to the tough economy. Instead of expensive personal trainers and fancy workouts, people will opt for more cost conscience workout options, and exergaming, such as Nintendo's Wii Sports, Wii Fit and the PC-based Dancetown are predicted to be on that list.
Exergaming will also be taking hold with older adults because senior centers are offering it to a population that is sometimes underserved in exercise options.
Experts are hopeful this new trend in fitness will help fight the growing obesity epidemic.
Exergaming will also be taking hold with older adults because senior centers are offering it to a population that is sometimes underserved in exercise options.
Experts are hopeful this new trend in fitness will help fight the growing obesity epidemic.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
5 Benefits of Exergaming
I came across an old post, written by Kelly Kilpatrick, which listed 5 benefits of exergaming. With a New Year among us, and many “New Year’s Resolutions” being to exercise more, I thought it was worth reposting these benefits for all to read again.
1. Exergaming has a wide appeal. Going to the gym is not for everyone, and neither is going outside to exercise. Exergaming appeals to people of all ages and walks of life, and enables people to exercise on their own time and on their own terms.
2. Exergaming is interactive. For many, the idea of exercise is boring. Exergaming offers an interactive way to stay physically fit and breaks the monotony of exercising alone in a gym. Turning exercise into a game involves people who may not normally have wished to exercise in the first place.
3. Exergaming tracks your progress for you. Rather than maintaining your own records, WiiFit and other games that use the Wii Balance Board save your statistics, making it effortless for the user to track his or her progress. This in turn motivates the user to challenge him or herself to do better, which is the beauty of pairing up exercise and gaming.
4. Exergaming creates interest in other activities. Exergaming is the gateway for many real physical activities. From tennis to skateboarding, players of physically active video games soon develop interests in the real-life versions of the games they play on the Wii. Those who like certain formats also seek out other video games that offer the same interactive physical activity.
5. Exergaming has limitless possibilities. With the popularity of the Wii, WiiFit, and the Wii Balance Board, the possibilities truly are limitless. From more physically demanding games, to educational applications, the integration of physicality into the world of gaming is truly the way of the future for gaming.
1. Exergaming has a wide appeal. Going to the gym is not for everyone, and neither is going outside to exercise. Exergaming appeals to people of all ages and walks of life, and enables people to exercise on their own time and on their own terms.
2. Exergaming is interactive. For many, the idea of exercise is boring. Exergaming offers an interactive way to stay physically fit and breaks the monotony of exercising alone in a gym. Turning exercise into a game involves people who may not normally have wished to exercise in the first place.
3. Exergaming tracks your progress for you. Rather than maintaining your own records, WiiFit and other games that use the Wii Balance Board save your statistics, making it effortless for the user to track his or her progress. This in turn motivates the user to challenge him or herself to do better, which is the beauty of pairing up exercise and gaming.
4. Exergaming creates interest in other activities. Exergaming is the gateway for many real physical activities. From tennis to skateboarding, players of physically active video games soon develop interests in the real-life versions of the games they play on the Wii. Those who like certain formats also seek out other video games that offer the same interactive physical activity.
5. Exergaming has limitless possibilities. With the popularity of the Wii, WiiFit, and the Wii Balance Board, the possibilities truly are limitless. From more physically demanding games, to educational applications, the integration of physicality into the world of gaming is truly the way of the future for gaming.
Do active video games such as Wii count toward recommended amounts of physical activity
According to Karen Collins, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., moderate physical activity feels like you are exerting yourself 5 or 6 on a scale of 0 to 10, and playing video games that involve movement and increase a player’s heart rate and breathing noticeably would be considered moderate physical activity.
Though the results are mixed, a few studies suggest that games such as Wii boxing and Dance Dance Revolution played at skill level 2 do involve moderate activity. Others, such as Wii bowling and golf and Dance Dance Revolution played at the lowest skill level involve lower levels of activity, but are clearly a step up from the more sedentary activity of watching television or playing a video game using only our thumbs while relaxing on a couch.
http://calorielab.com/news/2010/01/03/working-out-with-wiifit-and-antioxidants-in-applesauce/
Though the results are mixed, a few studies suggest that games such as Wii boxing and Dance Dance Revolution played at skill level 2 do involve moderate activity. Others, such as Wii bowling and golf and Dance Dance Revolution played at the lowest skill level involve lower levels of activity, but are clearly a step up from the more sedentary activity of watching television or playing a video game using only our thumbs while relaxing on a couch.
http://calorielab.com/news/2010/01/03/working-out-with-wiifit-and-antioxidants-in-applesauce/
Exergaming can help you beat stress
Stress can really get us down and be detrimental to our health, therefore it is important to try various stress-management strategies to avoid feeling out of control.
Dr. Joseph Stubbs, president of the American College of Physicians and an internist in Albany, Georgia, offers many tips on how to relax and beat the stress. Among those tips is exercise. Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise in San Diego says that by exercising, we are helping our bodies learn how to accommodate stress. McCall recommends starting small, two times a week for a minimum of 20 to 25 minutes, and aiming to work your way up to about an hour a day for long-term health benefits. He even suggests using electronic "exergames," such as Nintendo's Wii Sports and Wii Fit, to raise the heart rate.
For more tips on how to beat stress, read this article, Relax, You Can Beat That Stress.
Dr. Joseph Stubbs, president of the American College of Physicians and an internist in Albany, Georgia, offers many tips on how to relax and beat the stress. Among those tips is exercise. Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise in San Diego says that by exercising, we are helping our bodies learn how to accommodate stress. McCall recommends starting small, two times a week for a minimum of 20 to 25 minutes, and aiming to work your way up to about an hour a day for long-term health benefits. He even suggests using electronic "exergames," such as Nintendo's Wii Sports and Wii Fit, to raise the heart rate.
For more tips on how to beat stress, read this article, Relax, You Can Beat That Stress.
Tips to help you avoid Wii Fit injuries
Since the release of the Nintendo Wii Fit in May 2008, doctors have seen injuries such as muscle strains, rotator cuff shoulder damage, and other upper body problems. It has been noted that most injuries occur because players do not warm up or stretch before playing the virtual sports. This article, Nintendo Wii Fit Can Cause Injuries, offers a few tips on how to avoid some of these injuries. Here are a few:
1. People who are new to exercise or new to playing the Wii system should pace themselves and not overdo it.
2. Make sure you allow plenty of unobstructed room to play the games, follow the game instructions carefully, and monitor your children’s playtime.
3. Nintendo offers health and safety guidelines in a manual that is provided with the Wii Fit and there is also an in-game trainer that gives demonstrations of each sport or activity before it is performed - utilize these resources before you play.
1. People who are new to exercise or new to playing the Wii system should pace themselves and not overdo it.
2. Make sure you allow plenty of unobstructed room to play the games, follow the game instructions carefully, and monitor your children’s playtime.
3. Nintendo offers health and safety guidelines in a manual that is provided with the Wii Fit and there is also an in-game trainer that gives demonstrations of each sport or activity before it is performed - utilize these resources before you play.
Exercise can give kids a “brain boost”
There are many reasons to replace passive screen time with active screen time. In one of the blogs that I follow, I recently came across a study conducted by Dave Ellemberg and Mathilde St-Louis-Deschenes, reported in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, which researched the immediate effects of exercise on the brain in 7 and 10-year old boys. Boys in each age group were assigned to either a no exercise (control) or exercise group. Both groups were given tests that measured reaction time and decision-making ability. Compared with the control group, the children in the exercise group showed a significant improvement on the tests; both reaction time and decision-making skills improved in both the 7 and 10-year olds after exercise. There were no changes in brain function in the group that did not exercise. The better reaction time and decision-making ability after exercise suggest that exercise has an immediate positive effect on the brain.
So since this study suggests that exercise improves brain function in kids, I think it is one more reason to get our kids up off the couch and moving. Instead of playing a passive video game, suggest that they play an active game; little boosts of exercise can lead to little boosts in brain function.
Ellemberg, D and St-Louis-Deschenes, M. The effect of acute physical exercise on cognitive function during development. Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2009), doi: 10.1016/psychsport.2009.09.006
So since this study suggests that exercise improves brain function in kids, I think it is one more reason to get our kids up off the couch and moving. Instead of playing a passive video game, suggest that they play an active game; little boosts of exercise can lead to little boosts in brain function.
Ellemberg, D and St-Louis-Deschenes, M. The effect of acute physical exercise on cognitive function during development. Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2009), doi: 10.1016/psychsport.2009.09.006
Wii fitness peripherals that actually count calories
Many of us wonder if we are really burning calories with our Wii workouts, and now there are fitness peripherals that actually count calories to help us see the results of our play.
Released in November 2009, was the Wii Tennis Racket with LCD Calories Indicator. According to this description from Amazon - with the smart racket from CTA digital you can enjoy those Wii tennis video games while measuring your fitness level all in one accessory. This tennis racket contains a small built in LED display that displays the amount of calories burned, overall distance of swings (in either kilometers/miles per hour) and how many swings have been taken in your session. Just connect your Wii Remote (with or without a Wii Motion Plus adapter) into the cradle of the base handle and you’re set! This intelligent and comfortable tennis racket will not only aid you in dominating virtual tennis tournaments but also help track your path to fitness success!
Pair this peripheral with New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis and count the calories while you are having fun.
Released in November 2009, was the Wii Tennis Racket with LCD Calories Indicator. According to this description from Amazon - with the smart racket from CTA digital you can enjoy those Wii tennis video games while measuring your fitness level all in one accessory. This tennis racket contains a small built in LED display that displays the amount of calories burned, overall distance of swings (in either kilometers/miles per hour) and how many swings have been taken in your session. Just connect your Wii Remote (with or without a Wii Motion Plus adapter) into the cradle of the base handle and you’re set! This intelligent and comfortable tennis racket will not only aid you in dominating virtual tennis tournaments but also help track your path to fitness success!
Pair this peripheral with New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis and count the calories while you are having fun.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Wii Football
Releasing January 25, 2010 – the Wii Football
According to the description on Amazon - This ultra-realistic accessory, allows you to mimic essential motions a virtual football game requires. This Wii peripheral is the first of its kind to be fashioned after an authentic football, turning your Wii-mote into the optimum performance-enhancing accessory! This peripheral fully encases your Wii Remote in a football shaped shell. The buttons on the Wii remote are mirrored on the outside of the casing, giving you full accessibility without interrupting your game! To operate simply press the release tabs and lift the cover to open the ball, place the Wii remote (even with a Wii Motion Plus adapter, optional) inside and close the cover on top. Make sure to wear the wrist strap (found on the outside of the peripheral) securely around your wrist, adjust the strap to tighten the hold, preventing the ball from accidently flying out of your hand. Lastly, place your hand inside the built in, retractable hand strap. With the perfect accessory in your hand, you are ready to throw game winning passes like a Pro! Compatible with the following Wii games: • Madden NFL 09 All-Play • Madden NFL 10 • Brunswick Pro Bowling • Backyard Football ‘09 • Backyard Football • Family Fun Football • Blitz: The League • NCAA Football 09 All-Play • And any other Wii Football games that require the Wii Remote.
And since it is rumored that EA Sports is working on a football training game that will get players to do football-based exercises and workouts and coach players on how to throw footballs, this may just be the perfect accessory to make EA’s new exergame very realistic.
According to the description on Amazon - This ultra-realistic accessory, allows you to mimic essential motions a virtual football game requires. This Wii peripheral is the first of its kind to be fashioned after an authentic football, turning your Wii-mote into the optimum performance-enhancing accessory! This peripheral fully encases your Wii Remote in a football shaped shell. The buttons on the Wii remote are mirrored on the outside of the casing, giving you full accessibility without interrupting your game! To operate simply press the release tabs and lift the cover to open the ball, place the Wii remote (even with a Wii Motion Plus adapter, optional) inside and close the cover on top. Make sure to wear the wrist strap (found on the outside of the peripheral) securely around your wrist, adjust the strap to tighten the hold, preventing the ball from accidently flying out of your hand. Lastly, place your hand inside the built in, retractable hand strap. With the perfect accessory in your hand, you are ready to throw game winning passes like a Pro! Compatible with the following Wii games: • Madden NFL 09 All-Play • Madden NFL 10 • Brunswick Pro Bowling • Backyard Football ‘09 • Backyard Football • Family Fun Football • Blitz: The League • NCAA Football 09 All-Play • And any other Wii Football games that require the Wii Remote.
And since it is rumored that EA Sports is working on a football training game that will get players to do football-based exercises and workouts and coach players on how to throw footballs, this may just be the perfect accessory to make EA’s new exergame very realistic.
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