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Report calls for wider use of exergaming
An academic study has outlined the benefits of interactive digital gaming (exergaming) and suggested that it could form an alternative to traditional, supervised exercise for children.
A study conducted at GoKids Boston, the youth fitness research and training centre of the University of Massachusetts, US and found that all games used in the study elevated energy expenditure of children to moderate or vigorous intensity.
As a result, the report concludes: "Exergaming has the potential to increase physical activity and has a favourable influence on energy balance.
"It may be a viable alternative to traditional fitness activities for children of various body index (BMI) levels."
The exergames used in the study included three commercial products and three consumer products - Dance Dance Revolution; LightSpace (Bug Invasion); Nintendo Wii Boxing; Cybex Trazer (Goalie Wars); Sportwall ; and Xavix (J-Mat).
The study will appear in the July issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. For an abstract of the report, click here.