Study Indicates Wii, Move, Kinect Gamers Inspired to Be More Active

By Mike Sharkey | Dec 8, 2010 American Heart Association survey finds active games do more than get people off the couch.People that hop on a Wii balance board, bowl a PlayStation Move ball, or flail their arms and legs to Microsoft's Kinect are far more likely to begin a new real-life fitness activity. That's according to a new survey from the American Heart Association, which states that active gaming leads to active people.

In late October, the AHA surveyed 2,284 men and women, age 25 to 55, and found that 58% of people who play "active-play" videogames were inspired to continue their fitness efforts outdoors with activities like jogging, walking, and tennis. And a full 68% of respondents said they are now more physically active since they began playing active-play games.

"We are looking at active-play video games as part of a realistic approach to fitness," said Dr. Barry Franklin, director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. "We are finding that they often act as a gateway to other forms of physical activity. So as people get up off the couch to play Wii games, they're likely to stay up and do more."

Inspired by the results, Nintendo and the AHA announced the 12 Days of Getting Active initiative. The program will provide a series of daily tips on the Active Play Now web site designed to help people continue their videogame fitness efforts outdoors.

Sharkey says: I love watching people play Wii or Move games while sitting on the couch (and I'm talking about the games designed to get you up and active). Cracks me up as much as seeing people using "hands-free" mobile headsets/earphones while holding the phone in one hand and the headset's microphone in the other. Nice to know some a significant portion of Wii gamers are actually inspired to be more active.

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