"Exergaming"
Exergaming in the News
Some of you may not have even heard the term “exergaming”. This is a new term that describes new technology that combines video games and exercise. This is another method of attacking the childhood obesity crisis.
Finally the” baby boomer generation” is starting to understand the “gamer generation”. The average child in the US now spends over 5 hours a day on screen time (video games, TV, and computer). It is time we take advantage of this time being spent on screen time, and include some exercise at the same time.
The concept of exergaming is new, but is appears to be working. Every indication is the exergaming industry is about to explode. Just this year both Business Week and Time Magazine covered articles on “exergaming”
This week, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, committed over $10 million dollars to do research focusing on how exergaming can improve children’s health.
Most of you are aware of the game Dance Dance Revolution better known as DDR, was the leader in the exergaming world, but now there are at least 15 companies are into the gaming industry, include popular home games wii and xavix.
The exciting thing about the new “exergames”, not only to students love them, we are finding many of these games can be used to stimulate the brain for learning.
I have spent the last week talking to most of the exergaming companies around the country. There are many exciting “exergames” available today, but talking to the experts, you would not believe some of the new “exergames” in the planning stages.
We are going to see major advances in “exergaming” choices in the next couple years.
When the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finishes their research, and some of the new products become available, these tools will have a positive impact on the health of children
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