Wednesday, October 17, 2012


Video Games Can Get Kids In Shape


Many video games encourage kids to sit like lumps while twiddling their thumbs on their controllers. Butresearch into game systems requiring movement like the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect shows some games can get kids on their feet and jumping around.
The researchers found that when kids played Dance Central or Kinect Sports Boxing, their heart rate and oxygen uptake increased.
“Significant increases were observed in heart rate, VO2 [oxygen uptake] and energy expenditure during all gaming conditions compared with both rest and sedentary game play,” the researchers say.
“Although it is unlikely that active video game play can single-handedly provide the recommended amount of physical activity for children or expend the number of calories required to prevent or reverse the obesity epidemic, it appears from the results of this study that Kinect active game play can contribute to children’s physical activity levels and energy expenditure, at least in the short term.”

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