Video game helps kids stay fit
Video games have long been an enemy of those trying to get kids active, and away from their television and computer screens. But the high level of physical activity involved in one popular game might give both kids and parents something to be excited about.
West Virginia University recently conducted a study on 35 children, aged 7 to 12, and found that "Dance Dance Revolution" helps kids improve heart health and fitness.
Instead of sitting still, manipulating only a joystick, "DDR" demands that players get up on their feet -- stepping on a dance pad in correspondence with movement sequences displayed on the video screen. The kids have a blast, and get a workout while they're at it.
Sounds like something I should try!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-27-2006 @ 8:14PM
Katy said...
If you don't already have a game console, there is at least one free "dance machine" software program -- do a search for Stepmania. Dance pads are not too expensive, and there are some that come with a USB adapter, allowing them to plug in to your PC and act like a joystick to control the program.
We got a dance pad for our daughter for Christmas; she doesn't get the competitive part of the game yet, but seems to enjoy playing with it.
And if you ramp up the difficulty a bit, it's as least as good a workout as walking on a treadmill, and more fun.
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