The Think Spot.

Monday, January 5, 2009

The latest craze in fitness seems not to be new equipment at the gym, but rather equipment you can use right in your home. To anyone who has ever played it seems that Nintendo has revolutionized the fitness world with their smash hit product: Wii Fit.

But the question I would like to raise is...Do you think the purpose and goals of the game hold enough potential to beat the physical inactivity issues and video game related health issues we've been facing due the rise in overuse of video games?

The Cons:
Besides the obvious health concerns associated with excessive video game usage some people believe that an increase in technological advances for physical education will decrease the more "traditional" teaching methods and activities. Independent News Television put out a video discussing this issue and they don't see any concern because they believe that there will always be students who want to be physically active and participate in the traditional team sports that allow them to feel the rush of stepping onto a freshly cut field or a newly waxed court. Wii Fit performs a fitness assessment but bases its standards on the Body Mass Index (BMI) which in my opinion can make people feel worse based on its limited criteria.

The Pros:
The game itself is suitable for all ages both in content and functionality. It provides varying activities and a very user friendly interface that provides step by step instructions for even the least technologically advanced. It provides a new opportunity for success and different activities for those who haven't found motivation in traditional activities. It implements cardiovascular fitness, balance, strength, and flexibility based on all through the help of a virtual trainer who guides you every step of the way all based on the fitness assessment performed by the game. As mentioned previously the BMI portion of the fitness assessment is a negative, but the Wii Fit utilizes its accurate scale to allow you to set goals and decide in what time frame you want to reach those goals. Throughout game play users are also prompted to take a break and get fresh air to prevent some of the health concerns that are associated with excessive video game use.

In conclusion I don't think that video exercises like this will solve all our problems, but they can help revolutionize physical education lessons, student motivational levels, and can even stretch into the realm of physical activity for the aging. When it comes to health and fitness it is all about you as an individual and finding what motivates you to live a healthy life.

If you get that rush of adrenaline stepping up and pushing the power button on your Wii instead of putting on your swim cap and diving into the pool then I say go for it: Be the best you can be.

Labels: exercise, fitness, technology, wii

12:05 PM

2 comments

Monday, January 5, 2009

Labels: exercise, fitness, technology, wii

12:05 PM