And the virtual fitness frenzy isn’t just for kids.

Exergaming also has been added to school physical education programs.Įxergames range from the original dance-based games to boxing/martial arts to baseball and football. Cyclists are motivated to ride by interactive computerized terrain that incorporates finding prizes and accumulating points like those in video games. Exercise bike manufacturers even have integrated exergaming with stationary cycles. Children can interact with the fitness game and each other by playing and competing in dance fitness, virtual sports, and virtual obstacle courses. That prediction was correct, as YMCAs, community recreation centers, and other family-friendly fitness facilities now offer exergaming stations next to traditional exercise equipment. In 2009, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) listed exergaming as a trend to watch for in 2010, noting that fitness-based video and computer games would expand from the home to the fitness club. Since then, the interactive gaming market has exploded and created a new fitness phenomenon. The term “exergaming” officially entered our vocabulary in 2007 when it was added to popular dictionaries. To get game-addicted kids moving, several years ago, manufacturers introduced video games that required movement, beginning with the popular Dance Dance Revolution. The Allure of Exergaming - Studies Demonstrate Numerous Health Benefits for All Agesĭeclining fitness levels and increasing body weight in children and adolescents have been attributed to the large amount of time spent on computers and playing video games instead of engaging in outdoor activities.

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