Study finds ‘excergaming’ helps kids
Posted Dec 7, 2010 1:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have concluded the new generation of physically interactive video games could be an important tool in teaching kids balance and overall physical literacy.
At a southwest Calgary school, a Wii and X-Box are part of the curriculum as part of the study.
Ph.D Candidate Blaine Sheehan wanted to know if using games like Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution could help kids develop fundamental movement skills such as balance.
“Our study in balance was clear that we were able to use exer-gaming to improve their postural stability,” says Sheehan.
Students using the games improved by more than 25 per cent, about the same rate as those learning balance through traditional methods.
Sheehan believes kids who learn in an environment they’re comfortable with, should gain the confidence to become more active in non-virtual settings.
