Exergaming+(Trizis)


 * Term:** Exergaming


 * Description:** Exergaming refers to any form of video game that also provides a form of exercise. Dance Dance Revolution is a great example (and one of the first with huge success) as it requires gamers to stand aboard a platform and dance the steps as they appear on the screen ahead of them.

There were however much earlier cases than DDR, which came out in 1998. Exergaming has been around since the 80’s with such games as the Power Pad on the NES. Such games were not terribly popular in the past, but with the success of DDR and the rise of health concerns for children, exergaming is becoming much more popular.

Many people praise exergaming as a great means of promoting good health in children in a way that is fun. As time progresses, games are being created that can actually maintain health information for the individuals that play which paves the way for PHRs to be created easily from within a friendly media.


 * Applications:** Exergaming ideals have been implemented in many games throughout the history of gaming, but the most recent exergaming success came with Wii Fit. Wii Fit revolves entirely around the user’s fitness level. As the fitness level (balance, agility, etc.) increases, the user excels in the game. It uses the Wii Balance Board that the game player stands on to perform different mini-games within the game and the pad also measures the users weight and BMI (once told the users height). Such statistics are continually measured and a graph of the player’s (hopefully) increased health level is accessible at any time.

One company called Exergame Fitness has gone the extra mile and compiled the largest collection of exergames in any one place. The purpose of their facility is for parents to bring their children to play the games to promote a healthy lifestyle. They have everything from iDance (a more complex dancing game than DDR) to an electronic rock wall providing an unlimited length of wall for the children to climb.


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Nintendo Wii Fit
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