(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having the Wii gaming system at home may give
you another reason not to go to the gym.
A new study funded by Nintendo shows active games like Wii Sports and Wii
Fit provide energy expenditure similar to exercising at a moderately intense
pace elsewhere.
Researchers say one-third of the virtual physical activities in the games
require an energy expenditure of 3.0 METs or above, which is considered
moderate-intensity exercise. Researchers say adults need at least two and a
half hours of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity every week to
reduce risks of adverse health outcomes.
“Energy expenditure is the most important information to measure the effect
of video games,” Motohiko Miyachi, Ph.D., lead author of the study and
Project Leader of Project for Physical Activity in the Health Promotion and
Exercise Program at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo,
Japan was quoted as saying.
Miyachi recommends active games, like the Wii sports and Wii fit, over
sedentary video games. Researchers say some physical activity is better than
none.
SOURCE: American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, 2009
