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Exergaming could help kids burn calories while having fun
Exergaming could help kids burn calories while having fun
Posted on May 22, 2013 by Maggie LaBarbera
How can we get kids to be more active when we are competing against such a techy generation. Well using games, something kids love to do, as part of a kids exercise program, may be part of the solution.
In Australia, Dr Louis Naylor from the University of Western Australia evaluated 15 children ages 9-11. Australia is dealing with childhood obesity and have reported that less than 50% of school aged boys and less than 28% of girls meet the minimum requirements for physical activity.
What is exergaming? Exergaming are video games that track a player movements required to control the game. So these are games like the Wii or Dance Revolution that requirements simulation movement to move through the game.
The study found that
high intensity exergaming had an energy burn similar to a child doing a moderate intensity exercise
low intensity exergaming was pretty much the same energy burn as doing a low intensity exercise
This is a small study but certainly indicates that using games can be a good way to get kids off the couch and burning calories. It makes sense and although ideally, you would like your child getting fresh air and building social and motor skills while playing active games like tag, this could be a nice supplement to increasing overall activity!
More Resources:
Explorer kids demonstrate being active and not being active in this fun worksheet. For children who can not write, have them circle the characters that are being active.
Published: Jul 14, 2011
Grades: K-2
Ages: 4-7
Children can make a commitment to be healthier with our kid-friendly healthy goals agreements. This goal contract is for children who would like to increase their daily activity and exercise. Let's get moving!
Published: Jul 17, 2011
Grades: PreK-5
Ages: 4-13
Children can make a commitment to be healthier with our kid-friendly healthy goals agreements. This goal contract is for children who would like to decrease their screen time to 2 hours or less. Let's get moving!
Published: Jul 17, 2011
Grades: PreK-5
Ages: 3-13
Children can make a commitment to participate in the National Screen free week event and turn off the tv for an entire week. Great opportunity to have some family time and active time.
Published: Jul 17, 2011
Grades: PreK-5
Ages: 4-13
Children can make a commitment to be healthier with our kid-friendly healthy goals agreements. This goal contract is for children who would like to increase their daily activity by walking. Let's get moving!
Published: Jul 17, 2011
Grades: PreK-5
Ages: 4-13
Make tracking children's healthy goals fun with our very cute healthy fitness trackers. Color the characters for each each 15 minutes of activity completed. Let's Get Moving! For use with "Being Active is Fun' Healthy Goal - Printable Agreement"
Published: Jul 18, 2011
Grades: PreK-5
Ages: 3-13
Make tracking children's healthy goals fun with our very cute healthy fitness trackers. Just write in the numbers of steps taken throughout the day. This activity is best done using a pedometer. Let's Get Moving! For use with "Walking Every Day Goal - Printable Agreement"
Published: Jul 18, 2011
Grades: 2-5
Ages: 7-13
Make tracking children's healthy goals fun with our very cute healthy fitness trackers. Work with children to create a screen time schedule that limits screen time to 2 hours or less a day. Let's Get Moving! For use with "Limiting TV Time Healthy Goal - Printable Agreement"
Published: Jul 18, 2011
Grades: 2-5
Ages: 7-13
Make tracking children's healthy goals fun with our very cute healthy fitness trackers. Write the exercises or actions for each each 15 minutes completed. Let's Get Moving! For use with "Being Active is Fun' Healthy Goal - Printable Agreement"
Published: Jul 18, 2011
Grades: 3-5
Ages: 8-13
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