In February, I posted a blog entitled What the Wii?!?, that I thought was pretty darn good if I don’t say so myself. However, the reason for this followup is there is current research on the effectiveness of Wii Fit versus conventional workouts - i.e. group fitness classes, exercise videos, running, etc.
The American Council on Exercise has released a study conducted by a team of researchers led by John Porcari, Ph.D, Alexa Carroll, M.S. and Carl Foster, Ph.D. The team recruited 16 volunteers, male and female, ages 20-24 years to help test the efficacy of Wii Fit. The researchers tested six Wii Fit activities; Island Run, Free Run, Free Step, Advanced Step, Super Hula Hoop and Rhythm Boxing. ut it Of these six activties, Island Run and Free run yielded the highest energy expenditure of 5.5 kcal per minute. However, neither was sufficient to maintain or improve cardiorespiratory endurance as defined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Additionally, performing the actual activity (vs. the virtual one on the Wii Fit) has higher calorie expenditure. And, if you want a bit more workout from your Wii, do the Wii Sports games instead. They allow for more movement and accuracy in effort. For more information on one of the studies conducted by Porcari, et. al., click here.
I am not saying that the Wii Fit is pointless. In fact, finding something that you enjoy and will stick with is a great start and sometimes the best workout. Just don’t expect the health benefits that you would get if performing the real exercise. Wii Fit should not be your only mode of working out, but it is a great stepping stone to getting you outside running, hiking or biking or to a gym to take a class. Plus, the best motivational tool in working out is meeting people with the same interests. Video games do not nurture our human need for interpersonal interaction.
On a final note, Wii released Wii Fit Plus in October with the Balance Board for $99. Will it be a better workout? It is too soon to tell, but it includes 15 new balance board games and allows the user to customize their workout.
