can modern video games be a form of exercise
Can Modern Video Games Be a Form of Exercise?
We're rooted firmly in a world where most of us are panting, corpulent adults, in desperate need of a radical lifestyle change. Kids―not surprisingly―have joined the clan too. Studies have shown that video games can spice things up for those who detest the idea of working out, by adding a little fun to the fitness mix. So, can modern video games be a form of exercise? Let's find out.
Exergaming (ek-ser-gey-ming)
Noun: The act of playing a video game that requires physical exertion to perform - much like conventional exercising.
In the 1980s, no one ever considered physical activity as a crucial ingredient in the recipe of life. Video games were anything but active in nature―kids would park themselves on the couch, before engaging their already-fried brains with mindless gaming. When fitness-related games released in the '80s, they didn't do so well.
The first of its kind was Konami's Dance Dance Revolution―a game that took dancing to a whole new level. The makers of PlayStation stepped in and took over, turning the beloved arcade game into an accessible video game, that you could play within the confines of your home. No more embarrassing dance moves in public, that's for sure!
Because the transition from arcade to PlayStation did pretty well (with sales skyrocketing to over 3 million copies sold), other companies' interests were piqued, thus, following in close pursuit. Nintendo released Wii Fit a couple of years after EyeToy (by PlayStation) hit the shelves in 2003. It subsequently conceived what is called today as exergaming―a portmanteau of the words 'exercise' and 'gaming'. Many have voiced the question whether video games can be a form of exercise. We say, why not?
How Are Modern Video Games a Form of Exercise?
Frangible Promises
Many of us have uttered the same, overused, earnest promise, one too many times―to exercise, follow a diet that is devoid of noxious food, and lose weight (hopefully), by the end of the year. A week into the exercise routine, all hell breaks loose―laziness sets in, then dejection, and finally, you give up.
Dwindling Health
Most of us have the proclivity to slip into an unhealthy lifestyle, where doctors strongly, but unsuccessfully, lay emphasis on how obesity will one day take over the world, one plump person at a time. Kids are increasingly growing in girth because of a sedentary lifestyle, where cafeterias too, are partly to blame for the shocking food choices available.
Whittled-waistline Dreams
All of us want bikini bods, but not working towards such a dream or throwing in some bit of effort, is just plain unfair for your body. It's no secret that without the involvement of exercise, especially support from family/friends, a person cannot lose weight the right way. Healthy eating habits coupled with some form of physical activity is what one needs most. It's simple―if you don't burn more calories than how much you eat, you won't lose weight. Even if you're doing everything right, the equation is a stubborn stark truth.
The Bottom Line
You can't substitute actual exercise for exergaming, but you can include it as a part of your routine. Help the kids stay fit, or lose the premature weight gain by including not just exergaming, but outdoor sports as well. Grownups can indulge in a good session of gaming over the weekends, while taking a break from the gym. But don't let exergaming rule your life. While it is a great form of aerobics, it shouldn't be substituted for the hardcore stuff.
Exergaming can do wonders for cardiovascular health, so don't shy away from the gaming console. Involve others to take part in this form of exercise, to help them experience the highs of being physically active. The gaming consoles that work best for exergaming? Those would be the Nintendo Wii Fit, Kinect for Xbox 360, and PlayStation Move.