Burn Calories while playing TV Games

Finding fun and engaging ways to boost calorie burn is the key to a healthy lifestyle. In the modern era of interactive gaming, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports have opened the door to a different and playful form of exercise. We've taken a closer look at the energy expenditure during activities in these games, demonstrating how everyday play can become part of a healthy workout routine.

A Game-Based Exercise Study

To understand energy expenditure, twelve adult men and women performed all activities in Wii Sports (golf, bowling, tennis, baseball, and boxing) and Wii Fit Plus (63 activities categorized as yoga, resistance, balance, and aerobic exercise). Each activity lasted for at least 8 minutes to achieve a constant energy expenditure. A MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) was calculated for each activity based on resting energy expenditure and constant energy expenditure during the activity.

Diversity in Energy Expenditure

The mean MET values of all 68 activities ranged widely from 1.3 METs (Lotus Focus) to 5.6 METs (single-arm stand). The mean MET values in yoga, balance, resistance, and aerobic exercise of Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports were 2.1, 2.0, 3.2, 3.4, and 3.0 METs, respectively. Forty-six activities (67%) were classified as low intensity (<3 METs), and 22 activities (33%) were classified as moderate intensity (3.0-6.0 METs). There were no high-intensity activities (>6.0 METs).

Everyday Activities as Exercise

Time spent playing one-third of the activities in motion- and gesture-controlled video games can count toward the daily amount of exercise required according to the guidelines provided by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. These guidelines focus on 30 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity, 5 days a week. It clearly shows that there are many alternatives to traditional exercise, and fun games can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Play for Health

Incorporating interactive games into your daily routine is an innovative way to increase calorie burn. Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports offer a wide range of activities that suit various preferences. So, the next time you want to have some fun, consider that every Wii moment can also be a step toward a healthier you. It's time to redefine what exercise means and embrace play as a path to well-being.