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The Good Fortune of Wii Exercise
eldavojohn writes "While some users of the Wii complained of soreness or 'Wii elbow' when playing it too much, others are heralding its workout value. The University of Toronto is working on a 'therapeutic video game' for the Wii that is designed to help children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy exercise their weaker limb, people are claiming weight loss and in the January issue of Pediatrics the Mayo clinic is proposing that gaming systems like the Wii can combat child obesity."
I love my Wii, but think that people losing weight from playing Wii games is more a sad statement on how out of shape people are then the implicit greatness of the Wii.
The nice thing about the wii is that you don't need to make drastic movements to use the wii controller, though it's more fun to get into it and wave it wildly :)
It's all well in good that the wii and similar gaming setups have other advantages besides the primary use.
However, it is a sorry state of society if a video game is the only thing that can combat child obesity effectively. I believe more thought should go into an article when they mention stuff like this, and not just hype the somewhat depressing advantages.
"I only know 2 things: The love for me, and the fear of me."
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... proposing that gaming systems like the Wii can combat child obesity.
So I guess school districts will cancel their P.E. programs to pay for the new Nintendo Wii fitness program?
This is really that surprising though. Moving burns more calories than not moving.
I'm sure a lot of parents are happy to see something which is getting their kids off the sofa. Heck, I might even need to get me one and see if I can't get a bit more exercise.
Cheers
You sort of get out of it what you put into it. It's possible to use the minimal amount of movement to trigger an in game action, or find the 'bug' movements that trick the controller, but on the same token it's just as easy to put your whole body into it.
IMHO, the system is worth the money scalped from me on eBay.
The Fat Nerds will re-introduce disco to look cool in the white polyester suites and fake Afros.
Konami recently announced a DDR game for the Wii that will combine the traditional DDR gameplay with motion controls. IGN article is right here.
I bet if those same people walked an hour each day they'd lose the same or more weight. But at this point if it takes the games of the wii to motivate them then it's overall a good thing.
Developers: We can use your help.
People losing weight from playing a video is great and all, though it does shed light on how out of shape some people are. However, I've thought about the Wii and how its use could be great for people in physical therapy.
A while back a friend of mine broke his arm, and was in physical therapy for 8 weeks. During this time he had to do a lot of exercises with his arm and would always complain about how boring and annoying it was, sitting in a room with a bunch of other hurt people, doing exercises for an hour three times a week. Well, it turns out that the motion of bowling on the Wii is almost just like an exercise he had to do. It would be interesting to what would happen if physical therapists got someone to make a fun game for the Wii, that makes you do the exercises that you are supposed to do anyway.
Wow, that is pretty cool. I should get into this myself.
Well, there's no "developer.nintendo.com," hmm...maybe I can search for a Wii dev kit. Nope, nothing but a bunch of speculation and entrenched industry figures.
Guess Nintendo's not too big on this "novel, independent development" thing, eh?
OMG! Wau!
I played the Wii for 5 hours strait alternating playing with my niece and nephew and wasn't even a little tired. If you're feeling discomfort or losing weight from just moving your arms around without resistance, you have serious issues to deal with. Yes, the Wii makes you move, a little, but it is not an effective weight loss or exercise tool for a healthy person. Maybe if you weighted the controllers, or stretched a rubber tube around your back and connected it to each controller, you might get enough resistance to be a mile cardio... if you continued playing for a long period of time.
The worst skinny nerd epidemic since the great ramen famine.
...after using it for the last couple of weeks, my right arm seems a bit stronger and beefier than my left arm.
I haven't had this problem since before I got married!
I am waiting for the first game which requires all 4 wii-motes + nunchucks to be able to motion capture all wrists + ankles + thighs + upper arms.
DDR can go byebye if its replaced by freeform dancing.
"I've seen dead rabbits do better jumping jacks than you"
"Call those things pushups? work harder soldier"
"Call yourself a ninja, I said do a high roundhouse"
liqbase
This gaves a whole new meaning to a Scott saying you are going to do a 'wii bit of exercise".
Jumpstart the tartan drive.
One thing I feel should be noted is that in the Wii game Warioware: Smooth Moves, there is a game mode exclusively designed to give you a workout.
For anyone familiar with the actual game, it has microgames in which you have five seconds to perform some sort of action with the Wiimote.
Well, in "workout mode" (not the official name, by the way), you exclusively play games which require a lot of movement, and you play them longer than you would in normal gameplay.
They include moving your arms up and down like you're running, "pumping" the Wiimote up and down really fast like a barbell, and various other things.
If you go all-out on it, it really does tire you out, regardless of how fit you are. The Wii can be a great workout if used properly.
Do they have a weighted controller for the Wii yet? Maybe some sort of attachment for the existing controller? Nothing extreme, just 2-5 pounds or so.
Reinvent the wheel only at either a lower cost, greater effectiveness, or your own personal enrichment and satisfaction.
Speaking as a sad sack of crap, I find most exercise rather boring, hence why I haven't really done it before. For various reasons I can't own a bike right now, and walking/running, even with my favorite music to accompany me, just gets 'blah'. I had a walking machine for a bit, but even doing that while watching TV became mundane. If I had a buddy to exercise with, like playing basketball or tennis or something, it would be a lot easier for me to get out there.
The Wii, on the other hand, provides me with loads of fun, because along with the exercise component, it's also challenging. Sure, running can be challenging, in that you try to improve your time, but that's repetitive. On the other hand, Wii games change up. I can bowl, I can box, I can play tennis, etc.
It doesn't stop with the Wii, though. There are other fun ways to exercise, even within the video game realms. As the GP kiddingly mentioned, DDR. I have a RedOctane pad at home, and StepMania (a DDR clone) on my PC with about 800 songs. I've recently become more interested in my own well being, so I've devised a workout routine: walk during my breaks (roughly 30 mins/day total, between one and two miles), and do 10 songs on StepMania at home (about a half hour). I want to incorporate Wii Sports' Fitness thing in the morning, but I'm still having trouble waking up.
I've only been doing this for a few weeks, so so far the results are negligible, but I do find myself having more energy and general.
Judging from these remarks about "it just shows how out of shape people are", I beg the question, how much do you work out? have you even tried wii boxing?
I bet anyone who says these snide remarks is very out of shape themselfs and basically jealous at the fact that people are actually doing somthing for their health. (yes we live in a sick world). Wii boxing is a great cardio exercise. Do I want to run on a treadmill for an hour, or play wii boxing? the answer is obvious. Has anyone here ever sparred 3 rounds straight in a ring? You get exhausted if your out of shape, and you get plain tired if your IN SHAPE. Same goes for wii boxing.
That said, I can't wait for the next (it has been confirmed) punch out game on wii, and other games of this nature (IR leg connectors anyone?)
This is the perfect thread to point out the video:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1712492
My favorite is the Hara-kiri game.
Is there a good chance of an open-source type development engine that will let some pranksters bring some of these gags into fruition on the Wii controller?
No... it's not really anything at all like that.
That's strange, I didn't have that problem until after I got married.
I think you're pretty lucky. From what I've heard, that tends to happen -after- guys get married. Usually after three or so years...
As someone who lifts weights casually, playing a lot of wii sports seems to have really damaged and shrunk the applicable muscles. It feels similar to the effect baseball players experience if they try throwing a wiffle ball; something that is a huge no-no once you've developed those muscles.
But it does get me off the couch and moving around which has had a very minor positive effect on my body fat levels.
I propose someone create a 5 pound Wii Remote. Parents can secretly do the switch. Just make sure to make the wrist strap extra durable in case something like this happens.
i broke my arm when i fell off my bicycle over the summer. specifically, i fractured the radial head, which is a part of the elbow which controls fore-arm rotation. (as the doctor explained it to me, IANAMD) though the arm healed, the range of motion never returned fully. After my first week of having a wii (last week) my arm was INCREDIBLY stiff, and my range of motion limited, so i took it easy for a few days. now, however, the range has returned... and then some, moreso than how it was before i got the wii. its not back to the full, pre-break range yet, but..... its more than it was, and i think the constant and continuous use of my arms motion has probably helped.
is it possible that this thing could be used in physical therapy?
I've seen people say that it's not enough exercise,
that it's a sad state of society that it takes games to get people to move (whatever... society never is pretty),
that one shouldn't use the Wii as a substitute for proper exercise
etc etc.
But that's just it. First off, for many people any exercise is good exercise. Many people these days get *none* (other than walking to the fridge) so this is a major improvement.
Secondly - it's not about what exercise the Wii gives you. It's about getting you on track. Since getting mine I got the "fitness bug" and have been doing other exercise activities (such as a brisk walk at lunchtime) and eating far more healthily. I'm even tempted to try some of the sports in reality. All of that was inspired by the Wii, and whoever thought up this idea needs a medal.
Thirdly - even if you only count the Wii exercise, every little helps. It may not be much on its own, but when combined with using the stairs instead of the elevator on the way to work or whatever, parking further away and walking further, etc etc... it all adds up.
I hope devs aren't encouraged by this to make progressively more active games. They're eventually going to make things I am unable to play without passing out or hurting myself. I got into this hobby for a reason, and it's definitely not because I enjoy moving around.
Well, of course. Bunnies are fantastic dancers.
Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
I bought wrist/ankle weights a few weeks before I got my Wii. They work! The little bit of weight resistance can be felt and I can tell it is working my muscles. They were only $20 for the pair.
Just them on your forearm(s) using the Velcro(TM) straps and you've got a decent work out for your arms. Luckily I walk to work as well, so they double as ankle weights.
Just because you can, does not mean you should.
Well I haven't been able to get hold of one yet, but have consoled myself by eating lots of chocolate. And cakes. Especially cake. Even better when they are chocolaty ones.
Chocolate cake baseball is much more fun to play in the living room anyway.
Professor Karmadillo Songs of Science
Every game on the Wii seems to work a different group of muscles because of the unique control movements involved. When I play something new for a couple of days, I find new sore spots. Oddly enough it's Excite Truck that keeps my heart rate up (and shoulders tense) the most while playing. It may turn out to be my favorite of the launch titles given its addictive, high adrenaline, and high replay value game style.
What happens when someone publishes a game for the Wii that is specifically designed to burn up calories? How? Just make the required motion of the Wiimote "big"... big arcs, rapid, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Wii-Gyms open up in a year or two. Or Wii Weight Loss Boot Camps...
Yes, you're doing something wrong :-)
Most people, when starting to play Wii boxing, flail the controllers in every which way, trying to get as many hits as possible. That doesn't work. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Keep these things in mind, and Wii Boxing will make a whole lot more sense and be a whole lot more fun.