The Nintendo and other game consoles have spawned a wave of inactivity– as kids picked up joysticks instead of sports equipment and settled into a couch to play with their friends.
Recent developments, however, have shown that consoles may now help engage families in healthy activities– and the Nintendo Wii Sports package and popular game Dance Dance Revolution appear to be leading the way in making athletics fun and social to those who aren’t traditionally “jocks”.
People using the Wii have gotten so engaged, that reports of “Wii-itis” have emerged in the literature of the weekend warrior.
Recently, the Wii has expanded its line of healthy entertainment with the Wii Fit.
Motivation is a key element in the Wii Fit programs. An on-screen graph tracked my progress, and I “stamped” each calendar day to show that I had exercised. Each minute of activity added a point to my Fit Bank, and enough points unlocked new activities; Wii Fit includes over 40 altogether. On-screen instructors demonstrated and joined me during yoga and strength-training exercises, congratulating me when I held my balance or noting that I stopped mid-exercise.
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Posted by Vijay Goel, M.D. |
Categories: Uncategorized | Tagged: engagement, home health | 
