Video Games as Physical Activity

It is common knowledge that video games have caught the imagination of

millions of people and today most children opt to play video games indoors
rather than engage in outdoor games. Many physical education professionals
have condemned this trend as unhealthy. 
 
For any child, physical activity and outdoor games are essential in the growing up
years. To remain physical healthy, children must be encouraged to engage in
games like football, basketball, soccer, and tennis for muscle building as well as
bone strengthening. Regular physical activity as a child will have a lasting health
benefit for a person as he/she gets older.

Lack of physical exercises and remaining indoors glued to video games can lead
to physical ailments such as joint aches and pains, poor digestion, weak bones
and even cardiac problems. Physical inactivity is the chief reason for the obesity
syndrome spreading across all countries of the world.
 
Before the emergence of home computers and video games, children spent more
time outside engaging in their favorite outdoor games and this healthy trend
routine has now been eroded. With loads of exciting computer games and
tempting simulations to indulge in, children have become addicts to video games
and refuse to play outdoors. The larger question is what can be done to reverse
this dangerous trend and stem the rot before it is too late.
If teachers and parents believe that the children can be counseled to opt for
outdoor games, then it is unlikely to yield the desired results as the addiction to
video games has become so overpowering. Employing coercive tactics may not
also lead to any positive results.

Having recognized the magnitude of the problem, researchers have come up with
some innovative machines called 'exergames' or 'exertainment'. The use of these
machines will help children achieve all of the positive results of physical exercise,
without abandoning the excitement that video games provide. In pursuance of
this goal, video games that incorporate various physical workouts in a compelling
and yet interesting manner - have been invented.

For instance, mountaineering bikes accompanied by ride simulation video

screens create a game environment with virtual competitors and monitoring
mechanisms. There are visuals to track vertical jumps, rock climbing set up with
video simulations where climbers evade obstacles or hop over hurdles.
 
In fact some health clubs have already introduced exertainment machines into
their gyms and it is heartening to note that their membership strength is steadily
growing. Besides, many of these gyms are providing video game consoles that
require players to stand up and move their hands and legs and engage the torso
muscles and physically exert themselves to move the controls.

Recent surveys have concluded that children playing video games that require
physical activity demand twice the amount of energy as compared to playing a
game on the TV in a continued sitting position. Thus the new types of exergames
are good substitute for children who have developed a natural aversion for
outdoor sport activities.
 
Going one step further, survey reports suggest that exergames are hugely
beneficial for all classes of people regardless of age and not only children. Certain
gym chains have already started roping in adults through mass marketing
initiatives such as advertising and lectures. It is expected that adults will slowly
overcome their inhibitions and take to exergames in large numbers.