The American Council on Exercise (ACE) released the results of a study questioning the benefits of Nintendo’s Wii Fit. Researchers found the energy expended from Wii Fit exercises fell below
physical activity guidelines set by the American College of Sports
Medicine. The exercises also resulted in fewer calories burned compared
to performing the actual activity.
Conducted with the help of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Exercise and Health Program, the study used 16 volunteers, both male and female between the ages of 20-24 to measure the effectiveness of the Wii Fit. After each volunteer's fitness baseline was set, the group participated in six of the game's most challenging aerobic activities: Free Run, Island Run, Free Step, Advanced Step, Super Hula Hoop and Rhythm Boxing.
The study, funded by Wii maker Nintendo, shows that about one-third of
the virtual games and activities in the Wii sports video and fitness
packages require the same energy expenditure as moderate-intensity
exercise.
“Current guidelines recommend that people engage in moderate exercise
like walking or doubles tennis about 30 minutes a day, five days a
week, to prevent heart disease and stroke,” Miyachi tells WebMD. These
games may be one way to achieve that goal, says Miyachi, who says he
breaks a sweat when playing virtual tennis and basketball.
The new study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Wii Fit’s Island Run and Free Run burned the most calories after 30
minutes of activity (165 calories), followed by Rhythm Boxing (114
calories) and Super Hula Hoop (111 calories).
