It's all the rage!
Home entertainment and gaming consoles worldwide are a glow as kids of all ages have taken to their televisions to now get fit.
But is it an accurate replacement or variation of taking part in the natural event?
Does breaking a sweat in your living room constitute a workout?
Most say it's better than not breaking a sweat, but nevertheless, video game participation will always burn fewer calories than if you were to participate in that activity for real.
The Wii Gaming System, with its Wii Fit series of games is one of the industry's top sellers of fitness-related games and gear and provides home users the ability to participate in such sports as: boxing, cycling, road racing, bowling, tennis, yoga, and much more - all from the comfort of their home.
The popularity is such that now family fitness centers and health clubs nationwide are jumping on the bandwagon and opening virtual gaming centers to allow kids to 'workout' will they play video games.
While these days it's encouraging to find anything that can stimulate the general public into getting off their butts and 'exercising' - let's not fool ourselves. These activities are merely facsimiles to the real thing. We have to teach our kids that these video games are not replacements for actual physical fitness.
All elements of cardiovascular health, muscle usage, concentration and focus, eye-hand-contact, as well as aerobic/anaerobic exercise are slightly comprised when not actually participating in the 'natural' sport itself. In addition, research has shown extended times focusing on television has been know to affect eye site, attention spans, and increase hypertension in participants.
The moral of the story is video games will never and should never replace the actual game it mimics.
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