Whilst anecdotal reports about the health and fitness benefits of playing the Wii have been reported on since the consoles release the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is the first orgnanisation to officially endorse the Wii after conducting survey into exercise and video games; results suggested that technologies such as Nintendo’s Wii “”may prove to be just what fitness experts are looking for to help their clients get more active””.

More Inside A number of other leading researchers chimed in including Dr. Josh Trout, Professor of Kinesiology at California State University Chico; A specialist in video game technology and exercise movement stated that, “”Exertainment and home video consoles are the wave of the future.””

Expanding on his point he explained that, “”Exergaming can provide excellent health benefits, but so can a Stairmaster, lifecycle or treadmill, if you do it. If a person has chosen a sedentary lifestyle, there is not much a new technology is going to do for them. On that note, exergaming, and exertainment, is an excellent way for getting kids hooked on physical activity, producing good exercise habits that can last their lifetime.””

The ISSA survey asked the association’s members about potential health risks and benefits in the use of ‘exertainment’ technologies employed in consoles such as the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 2 and 3 and of course the Nintendo Wii; especially its Wii sports title.

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and avid gamer Nichole Snow advocated Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution along with her fellow trainers as “”definitely more of an aerobic game – I see kids all the time enjoying it and losing weight – I think they gain a lot of aerobic exercise without realizing it.””

Considering Nintendo’s new console, “”The Nintendo Wii will show benefits for everyone. Whether you can sit down for the game or you have to be standing, it involves movement. The best part is its just fun – for everyone. Deconditioned and obese individuals will find it fun to play and gain aerobic movement out of the games. Seniors can enjoy gentle movements of bowling and golfing. Youth become a part of the game and don’t just turn into vegetables in front of the TV.””

Finally she offered some optimistic sentiments bound to appeal to all us lazy gamers, “”Everyone can burn some calories and learn some good health habits from Nintendo Wii’s fitness, and the system is just too hard to pass up when watching anyone play.””

Source: Gamasutra