When I first started using Wii Fit Plus, my oldest son asked if “that thing” really works. He thought it was kind of funny and not a true way to get healthy. I was convinced only because a good friend of mine had lost weight using it (along with changing her eating habits).
Since I have been using it for several months now, I can definitely say that it works. How else do you explain the weight loss and inches I have taken off…or the increased energy and flexibility I have? I have been using it during the winter months so I can’t say all of this is due to anything else.
Well according to two studies, many of the interactive fitness video games really do work. One study was done by the “Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,” which compared walking on a treadmill at three miles per hour to participating in an interactive fitness video game.
The findings were that walking on a treadmill at 3 mph produced a metabolic equivalent (MET) of 4.9 with children. MET values determine how much oxygen the body is using while active.
To get some perspective on this, light gardening produces a MET of 2, while hiking produces a MET of 6. Running at 8 mph would produce a MET of 13.5.
Some of the specific games tested included “Dance, Dance Revolution,” which produces a MET of 4.2. So you are somewhere in between light gardening and hiking. Not too bad.
Games that were either closer to or higher than the activity of hiking were: Cybex Trazer (5.9), Lightspace (6.4), Xavix (7) and Sportwall (7.1). So there are definitely some calories being burned and they are greater than what is done when walking 3 mph on a treadmill.
The only real question seemed to be whether or not these games were considered fun by the kids. Some were and some weren’t. I do think that can make a big difference in the motivation to utilize an interactive fitness video game program.
The conclusion to this study was that while this may not exactly be the answer to getting children moving, it is better than nothing and appears to have some real benefits. In a world where children are consumed by video games, this might not be such a bad thing.
All I know is that this mom here is going to continue to enjoy using her Wii Fit Plus. My next purchase is going to be “Just Dance.” I’m ready to get my groove on.
Related Articles:
Be a Healthy Example to Your Children