Education Law

Workin' it a new way

In the immortal words of Bobby Brady, "Mom always says, don't play ball in the house." C'mon, admit it -- your mom said it too. Ah, but times they are a-changin'. That's right. Now kids can play virtual ball right in the comfort of their living rooms! And not just ball, but they can box (don't hit your sister!), play tennis, and even do coordinated dance moves. BoardBuzz can hear our mother now . . .

According to an article in USA Today, exercise video games really do get kids' heart rates pumping.

New research shows that exercise video games such as Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution boost children's activity levels significantly.

The Wii system, made by Nintendo, is controlled by a wireless remote that translates movements to its "Mii" caricature on screen. In Dance Dance Revolution, from video game maker Konami, players use their feet to hit arrows on the game's dance mat, matching their own steps with arrows set in time to music on screen.

One study, from the University of Nebraska, measured the heart rate and oxygen consumption of kids playing Wii Boxing, Wii Tennis, DDR and a sedentary auto racing game for 15 minutes each. Another study, based in the Netherlands, monitored the oxygen consumption of children playing six popular exergames, including DDR and Wii Tennis, for five minutes each.

Both studies, presented to members of the American College of Sports Medicine, found engaging in exergames had positive effects.

The Nebraska research showed active video gaming requires more than twice as much energy as traditional video gaming. In the Netherlands study, several of these games raised children's activity levels enough to meet health guidelines for a moderate-intensity activity.

Some schools are adding video games to their programs. West Virginia plans to place Dance Dance Revolution in all public schools by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

BoardBuzz is always happy to see another way to get kids fit and healthy. But experts caution that these games are no substitute for traditional play, like tag and bike riding. So, while these games may be relief for kids as temperatures soar outside, they should still get out (early, not during peak sun hours) for some good old fashioned games. And remember, no running in the house!

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on July 31, 2008 (boomark / email).