Blog Articles

Case Study on Exergaming for Kids with Behavioral Issues – Preliminary Report

by Dan Lawler, Ph.D. on May 6, 2013 at 3:43pm

In schools today students who engage in antisocial behaviors are a real challenge for teachers and administrators.  Too often these behaviors diminish a student’s ability to learn and often interrupt the education of others.  Many times teachers and schools apply restrictions to privileges, more seat time, anger management strategies, and suspensions as a remedy for these behaviors.  A few months ago I assisted a middle school with initiating an alternative to...

Exerfit Family Fitness Center Brings Exergame To Their Members

by Jeffrey Dammann on Apr 15, 2013 at 9:38am

Exerfit Family Fitness in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will be starting the 2013 summer off with a new addition to their family fitness center, a state of the art Exergame room! This is an exciting new element and is part of the Fitness 2.0 movement where technology and exercise are integrating.  Exerfit has been a Baton Rouge recreation community center for families to come and bring their children for a full fitness experience.  Offering programs for children and adults alike,...

North Crawford School District Gets Their Group Dance Class On

by Jeffrey Dammann on Apr 1, 2013 at 2:02pm

North Crawford School District in Wisconsin gets students moving in physical education classes with Exergaming.  Exergaming, or interactive gaming as some would call it, is technology, gamification, and fitness combined.   It is a better way to educate the importance of fitness because it makes the fitness experience fun, and keeps children engaged.  They have been playing videogames all their life, so shifting sedentary screen time into active game play, and reinforcing...

PEP Grants, What Are They And How Do We Get One for Our School or Facility?

by Parker Johnson, Relationship Manager on Mar 12, 2013 at 5:02pm

ON PEP GRANTS (Carol White Physical Education Program) The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) provides grants to local educational agencies and community-based organizations to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to help students meet their state standards for physical education.  Money from PEP Grants may be used to purchase physical education equipment, provide support for students, provide...

Fitness 2.0, What it is And How it Benefits You

by Jeffrey Dammann, MSIS on Feb 27, 2013 at 4:59pm

Fitness 2.0 is an ideology, an ideology which has emerged out of the advancements we have made as a community, which is constantly working and creating one system that works, which leads to a new and improved system that works even better. This process in the health and wellness world has lead to something called Fitness 2.0.  But before I can explain it in more detail, it is important to frame what Fitness 1.0 is, or was, and how it differs from what Fitness 2.0 has become, and what it...

Exergame Fitness Educates the World at the Exergame Education Workshop 2013

by Ashley Staley on Feb 26, 2013 at 1:02pm

On average, children spend three to seven hours a day parked in front of a television.  Whether it’s watching after school cartoons, the Disney Channel, or playing video games, the rate of child obesity has had a drastic increase throughout the course of the past 20 years.  Let’s Move!  a campaign launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.  This nationwide...

Case Study on Exergaming for Kids with Behavioral Issues

by Dr. Dan Lawler on Feb 21, 2013 at 5:07pm

In schools today students who engage in antisocial behaviors are a real challenge for teachers and administrators.  Too often these behaviors diminish a student’s ability to learn and often interrupt the education of others.  Many times teachers and schools apply restrictions to privileges, more seat time, anger management strategies, and suspensions as a remedy for these behaviors.  A few months ago I assisted a middle school with initiating an alternative to...

The ExerGaming Lab As an Effective Tool to Help Students With Behavior Issues

by Dan Lawler, Ph.D. on Jan 17, 2013 at 11:27am

The ExerGaming Lab As an Effective Tool to Help Students With Behavior IssuesSocietal and clinical concern of antisocial behavior in school-aged children is significant. Students engaging in antisocial behavior represent a major challenge in the school system (Cihak, Kirk and Boon, 2009) and account for a large proportion of placements in special education classes (Knitzer, Steinberg, and Fleisch, 1990). Despite significant support and interventions, issues involving anti-social behavior...

The Works Family Health and Fitness Center gets a tWALL

by Jeff Dammann on Jan 14, 2013 at 12:08pm

Back in December before the holidays demanded everyone’s attention, we traveled to The Works Family Health and Fitness Center in New Hampshire and installed the gift of tWALL.  It has been a month now and we have finally had the opportunity to speak with The Works and find out how things are going since we have been there.    Maria Jennings the Supervised Youth & Adult Sports Manager at The Works wanted to bring some new excitement into fitness. Not quite...

Happy New Year From Team Exergame Fitness!

by Jeff Dammann on Jan 9, 2013 at 4:30pm

Being that this is our first blog post since the beginning of the new year, we at Exergame Fitness hope that everyone had a great holiday!  As we all go back into the daily grind pursuing our life passions, we should remind ourselves that our new years resolutions need to be a part of our daily missions. I read a surprising infographic, yet not that surprising, which stated that 45% of all new years resolutions are health related.  Whether that is losing weight, eating healthier,...

The Best Way to Postpone Dementia is with Exercise

by Jen Wolfe on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:44am

What’s the best way to stay mentally sharp well into old age? According to a recent study by experts at Edinburgh University, it's not brain games. Turns out exercise may be the most effective way to keep elderly minds as big and functional as possible. More so than brain teasers and social interaction, exercise was associated with the biggest boost in brainpower. What can you do to be around for your grandkids? The study tested 638 Scottish 70-year-olds by having them...

First Care For Then Educate

by By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. and Bev Bachman, M.Ed. on Nov 26, 2012 at 3:50pm

Peter Senge, in his 1990 book entitled The Fifth Discipline, talked specifically about well-intentioned goals and aspirations often leading to unpredicted outcomes that even the best leaders and thinkers could not have anticipated.  Certainly a 1981 government document release called “The Nation at Risk” intended to bring attention to the need for education to improve for all kids.  What evolved over the years was a tightening of curriculum, the development...

HEALTHY Armstrong, Incorporating Technology into Physical Education

by Jeff Dammann on Nov 19, 2012 at 1:12pm

In 2004 the state of Pennsylvania mandated all school districts to measure and track students Body Mass Indexes(BMI) and develop a Wellness Policy for students. Armstrong School District, located an hour north of Pittsburgh, has taken this initiative and created a coalition to address the problem of childhood obesity in Armstrong county. The coalition, called HEALTHY Armstrong, which is an acronym for Healthy Eating Active Lifestyles Together Helping Youth, has maintained excellent health in...

Suffolk Zone 2012 NYS AHPERD Conference showcasing Exergaming

by Jeff Dammann on Nov 9, 2012 at 12:31pm

New York suffered a huge blow due to Hurricane Sandy and while people were waiting in lines with gas cans at every gas station, the 2012 Suffolk Zone Professional Development Conference remained on schedule, drawing hundreds of physical education professionals from across the state of New York.   The NYS AHPERD, which stands for New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, has been hosting the Suffolk Zone event for the past couple years...

Exergame Fitness at Games for Health 2012

by Jeff Dammann on Oct 31, 2012 at 12:58pm

The first week of November will be a busy week for us here at Exergame Fitness.   Part of our team will be in New York for the Suffolk Zone Professional Development Conference 2012 event held at Sachem School District, and another part of our team will be overseas in Amsterdam at the Games for Health Europe 2012 Conference. Games for Health is a series of conferences that showcase the health and research implications of video games. Back in the spring, Motion Fitness was a...

Suffolk Zone 2012 NYS AHPERD Professional Development Conference

by Jeff Dammann on Oct 30, 2012 at 9:48am

The state of New York is facing some serious weather right now, but next week if the state survives the New York AHPERD will be hosting their annual Suffolk Zone conference where over 800 physical education teachers, school administrators, and fitness industry personal will get together and showcase the latest methods at bringing children into healthy active lifestyles.    This year you will find the Suffolk Zone event at Sachem School District which has made some huge...

Sierra Vista Jr. High Physical Education Demonstration

by George Velarde on Oct 29, 2012 at 2:23pm

As the Physical Education Department Chair at Sierra Vista Jr. High School, our PE program hosts PE Demonstrations for educators, principals, superintendents, and community leaders from all around the country to come and see the “New PE”curriculum in action. The demonstrations are designed to get them excited about the possibilities on how a comprehensive curriculum is implemented on a daily basis and the variety of equipment that is used to increase...

Exergaming in the Modern School

by Jeff Dammann on Oct 16, 2012 at 11:44am

Those of us who were lucky enough to get one of the first video game systems and play the game Pong all remember playing long hours with family and friends in the living room. Video games have come a long way since then, but still require a lot of living room time, most likely on the couch.  This has led to very sedentary lifestyles for children, yet a new form of gaming is beginning to emerge, that being Exergaming. Exergaming combines physical activity with video games,...

Integrating ExerGaming with Instruction: One Model

by By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. on Oct 9, 2012 at 12:12pm

By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. This school year a Title I teacher in Colorado will be integrating into her teaching both effective practices in literacy instruction and current research on how exercise prepares the brain for learning.   She is a strong literacy teacher, long grounded in strategies that have been supported by research in reading instruction.   This year she is excited to add this new dimension to her literacy lessons by having her classes participate in 5...

Healthy Families Healthy Communities Program Starts at Port Discovery

on Aug 8, 2012 at 11:18am

Port Discovery Children’s Museum is ranked as one of the top 12 children’s museums in the country by Forbes and offers three floors of educational, interactive exhibits and programs for children ages birth through ten years.  All of the Museum’s programming aligns with the Maryland Model for School Readiness and the state curriculum, with a focus on five core Platforms of Learning:   1.   Early Childhood Learning 2. ...

Group Dance System Featured at Mall of America

on Dec 14, 2011 at 3:21pm

Since opening its doors in 1992, Mall of America® has revolutionized the shopping experience and become a leader in retail, entertainment and attractions. Mall of America is one of the top tourist destinations in the country as well as one of the most recognizable brands.   Mall of America has earned a national reputation for entertaining guests. From musical acts to celebrity book signings to fashion shows, Mall of America is the Hollywood of the Midwest. Along with...

ESPN Presents Rise Up Chicago with Help of Exergame Fitness and Makoto

on Oct 4, 2011 at 2:30pm

ESPN's new original series RISE UP will be telling the story of four communities coming together to renovate their local high school’s athletic facilities.  The inspirational, four-episode series will showcase renovation projects from start to finish and will also focus on giving students advice, training, and tools that they can use to become better athletes.  POWERADE® is a sponsor of RISE UP, providing hydration products for the series.  As a final...

'Games For Health' - Four major trends emerging

on May 9, 2008 at 6:47pm

Story Updated: May 8, 2008 BALTIMORE and WASHINGTON -- Four major emerging trends -- exergaming kicks into high gear, video games go to rehab and therapy, major health care providers arrive on the scene, and the rise of video games for first responders and medical professionals -- were highlighted during a telenews event conducted by organizers of the Games for Health national conference at the Baltimore Convention Center.Two of the major Exergame distribution companies in the...

15 applicants receiving anywhere from $100k-$300k for Exergaming now available!

on Jan 15, 2009 at 10:57am

Health Games Research is an $8.25 million national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that supports outstanding research to enhance the quality and impact of interactive games used to improve health.Download the color brochure hereThe goal of the program is to advance the innovation, design, and effectiveness of health games and game technologies so that they help people improve their health-related behaviors and, as a result, achieve significantly better health outcomes....

2 years old -- a childhood obesity tipping point?

on Sep 2, 2008 at 2:30pm

Research suggests that childhood obesity begins in infancyOver the last decade, childhood obesity has grown into an epidemic, reflected in soaring rates of type 2 diabetes and recommendations that pediatricians check toddlers for elevated cholesterol.What hasn't been as clear is how early to intervene.A study presented at a pediatric research program on Friday suggested obesity prevention efforts should begin as early as age two, when children reach a "tipping point" in a progression that...

25 Facts on Children and Exercise

on May 15, 2009 at 11:22am

This is a great list of facts in children and exercise:View a list of our 25 Facts on Children and Exercise hereExergame Fitness USA Exergaming Research & Testing Center 530 West Colfax Palatine, IL. 60067 Office: 847.963.8969 x1103 Fax: 847.963.8966 Cellular: 630.408.9995 info@exergamefitness.com www.exergamefitness.com

33 Mind-boggling Stats About Childhood Obesity

on May 29, 2010 at 9:59am

Health professionals, including nurses, may find a new and frustrating problem facing them on the job, presented by childhood obesity. The numbers are staggering, showing that childhood obesity has become a nationwide epidemic. While the nation is addressing the problem, illnesses that affect obese children often become obstacles in helping them to lose weight. Hence, obese children often become obese adults who often carry health problems with them into adulthood. Numbers An...

A Fit Body Means a Fit Mind

on Jan 31, 2011 at 10:56am

by Vanessa Richardson Edutopia Forget the term "dumb jocks." According to the latest research, that's an oxymoron. New findings from biology and education research show that regular exercise benefits the brain in numerous ways. Not only can regular workouts in the gym or on the playground improve attention span, memory, and learning, they can also reduce stress and the effects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and even delay cognitive decline in old age. In short,...

A Healthy and Happy Childhood

on Sep 2, 2008 at 9:09pm

Local programs show kids that eating healthier and becoming more active is not only good for them, but also fun.By Julie EngelhardtGetting kids to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be challenging for parents today. Instead of going outside to ride their bikes or run and play when there’s down time, children tend to plop down on the couch to play videogames or watch TV. Or when hunger pangs hit, they’ll likely choose a can of soda and a bag of chips for a snack, instead of water or...

ACE-Sponsored Research: Exergaming—Not Just for Kids Anymore!

on Feb 21, 2011 at 10:45am

ACE: Community: Certified news: March 2011: ACE-Sponsored Research: Exergaming—Not Just for Kids Anymore! Full Article Here BY SUSAN CAPAROSA, M.A., JEANNE NICHOLS, PH.D., SIMON MARSHALL, PH.D., DANIEL CIPRIANI, P.T., PH.D., TREVOR KINGSBURY, B.S., KENT LORENZ, M.S., KRISTI ROBUSTO, M.S., AND VIRGINIE NICAISE, PH.D. Introduction One day a group of 15 adventuresome older adults, ages 67 to 87, gathered in a gymnasium at San Diego State University, which had been transformed...

And just when you thought the obesity epidemic couldn’t get any worse…

on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:34am

Kids as young as one are being diagnosed as obese, and one hospital is treating youngsters twice the size they should be. We’re not talking baby fat, or big boned, or chubby, or even overweight.We’re talking obesity…clinical, medical obesity.“A one-year-old who should be 10kg is actually 18-20kg or a two-year-old who should be 12kg is 25kg.”And wait, it gets better…Doctors at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, are admitting youngsters...

Baltimore's B'More Healthy Expo by FOX45 TV was a HUGE Success!

on May 17, 2010 at 7:13pm

This interactive event featured FOX45 and CW Baltimore stars, Baltimore athletes, and exhibitors from area health, fitness and wellness businesses and organizations. Included in this expo in partnership with Fox45 Baltimore was Exergame Fitness USA. Exergame Fitness brought the iDANCE Wireless Dance and Step System, Gamercize FIFA Soccer System, XaviX Power Dash, The NeuroActive BrainBike and the Makoto Sports Arena. The B'More healthy Expo generated huge interested in keeping the Baltimore...

Bill to mandate phys ed in Va. schools advances

on Jan 21, 2011 at 10:31am

By Julian Walker The Virginian-Pilot © January 21, 2011 Legislation to require an average of 150 minutes a week of physical education for students in Virginia elementary and middle schools was approved by a Senate committee Thursday. The measure, SB966, is sponsored by Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk. It incorporates similar bills from Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and John Miller, D-Newport News, and passed the Senate Education and Health Committee on an 11-1...

Campaign for a Healthier America

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:58am

At noon today, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America while the nation is facing challenges not seen in decades. Yet the people of this great country are filled with a renewed sense of optimism. Citizens are recognizing that their power to influence government goes beyond a visit to the voting booth on Election Day.For the fitness industry, these are both challenging times and rewarding times. While the day-to-day operations within a club,...

Celebrity Trainer Partners with Girl Scouts of America to Combat Obesity

on Jul 2, 2010 at 10:35am

Michael Torchia, President/Founder of the Shape Up Campaign, will be heading down to Washington D.C. to conduct workshops that will seek to educate and certify Girl Scouts as personal fitness trainers. The goal of these workshops is to create thousands of young peer fitness advocates to help stop the increasing levels of obesity among America's kids. Torchia and his Shape Up America Campaign Team have spent years educating parents and kids about better fitness and proper nutrition,...

Center for the Study of AutismSensory Integration

on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:54am

Center for the Study of AutismSensory Integration Cindy Hatch-Rasmussen, M.A., OTR/LTherapy Northwest, P.C.Beaverton, OR 97005Children and adults with autism, as well as those with other developmental disabilities, may have a dysfunctional sensory system. Sometimes one or more senses are either over- or under-reactive to stimulation. Such sensory problems may be the underlying reason for such behaviors as rocking, spinning, and hand-flapping. Although the receptors for the senses are located...

Chicago Bulls Sox Exergame Academy – Grand Opening

on Mar 21, 2011 at 9:39am

In light of the recent publicity of the growing obesity epidemic the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox Training Academy has found a new way to fight the cause through their partnership with Motion Fitness, one of the leaders in the Exergaming industry.  Exergaming is a term used for video games that are also a form of exercise. In recent years Exergaming, also known as Active Gaming, has started to gain popularity not only amongst children, but adults as well as a new way to...

CHICAGO BULLS UNVEIL FIRST ENERGIZABULLS EXERGAME FITNESS CENTER.

on Mar 13, 2010 at 4:11pm

"With the grant money and additional funding and support from local companies such as Direct Fitness Solutions and Exergame Fitness, the Bulls decided to create 25 EnergizaBulls Fitness Centers in Chicago Public Schools by the 2011-12 school year. The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Community Schools, a lead collaborator in this initiative, will be the recipient of the first EnergizaBulls Fitness Centers." Bulls use $1.475 million grant to create fitness centers in local...

Childhood Obesity - The Problem...The Solution

on Apr 24, 2008 at 9:18pm

The Problem Childhood obesity is one of the most urgent public health threats facing our country. Today, more than one-third of all children and adolescents in the United States—approximately 25 million kids—are overweight or obese. The epidemic already is affecting our kids’ health and quality of life in ways we’ve never seen before. Children are being diagnosed with conditions previously considered “adult” illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and...

Children Tell Researchers: We'll Get Fit if it's Fun

on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:25am

An independent study at the University of Cumbria found that nine in every ten youngsters want to play video games at the same time as exercising. The games reduce the boredom of exercise.Fifty children aged 11 and 12 were asked to use exercise equipment combined with video games provided by a company called Gamercize.The children could play their games only while they maintained movement on the fitness machines. If they stopped exercising, the games paused. Researcher Jack Tyson said:"The...

Click and Be Fit

on Jan 20, 2011 at 3:08pm

How a video game can get you off the couch and in shape By Lauren Ober [01.19.11] Seven Days Vermont As I stand with feet squarely on the ground, about shoulder width apart — a confident, athletic stance — a glowing green hoop appears above my head. I reach up to grab it, pull it down over my shoulders and set it at my waist. Then I swing my hips. And swing. And swing. And swing. The hoop wobbles at first, then sets to spinning. Soon a second, orange...

Discovering How Video Games Can Motivate Healthy Behaviors: More than $2 Million Awarded to 12 Research Teams Across U.S.

on May 29, 2008 at 7:04pm

Awards go to researchers in CA, FL, IN, ME, NC, NY, SC, VT and WA; Studies explore how games can increase physical activity and enhance prevention, self-management of health conditions PRINCETON, N.J., May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced today during a telenews conference the first round of grants awarded through its Health Games Research national program. More than $2 million in grants will enable 12 research teams to help...

Donovan McNabb, schools tackle childhood obesity

on Sep 21, 2010 at 7:09pm

More than 600 school children are setting a world record on the very well-known FedEx Field Tuesday. Eighth grader Thomas Booker said, "I'm kind of pumped about this because, you know...it's one of my main books. I like to read the Guinness books of world records." They are there for a massive interactive fitness session that is making history with the help of some local Marines and Redskins players, anchored by quarterback Donovan McNabb. "Just about 12, 13 years ago my father...

Emerging Developments Outlined As Games for Health Conference Gets Underway; Health-Oriented Innovations - Such as Guitar Hero Modified for Arm Ampute

on May 20, 2008 at 8:40pm

BALTIMORE and WASHINGTON, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four major emerging trends -- exergaming kicks into high gear, video games go to rehab and therapy, major health care providers arrive on the scene, and the rise of video games for first responders and medical professionals - were highlighted today during a telenews event conducted by organizers of the Games for Health national conference (http://www.gamesforhealth.org) taking place May 8-9, 2008 at the Baltimore Convention...

Exercise the name of the :Game"

on Apr 1, 2008 at 5:29pm

Exercise the name of the game! IF YOU were to conjure up an image of a dedicated videogame fan, would they be: (a) a pale, highly caffeinated, thumb-mashing, hirsute individual with little respect for personal hygiene, or (b) a toned, lithe, fitness-obsessed creature with great balance and amazing abdominal muscles? The average gamer probably lies between these extremes, but videogame makers are striving to swing their...

Exergame Fitness "Committing to a Healthy Cause"

on Aug 2, 2010 at 1:32pm

(Rolling Meadows - IL) 8/2/10 Exergame Fitness is excited to announce they have become a partner with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.  Through this partnership Exergame Fitness will extend their reach to more schools, marketplaces, workplaces; and help them gain knowledge on the benefits of combining exercise and gaming. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led organization, is a national, multi-year effort designed to...

Exergame Fitness & Green Bay Packers Tackle Childhood Obesity and Inactivity at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day Event - Over 2000 Kids & 4500 Attended

on May 19, 2009 at 3:03pm

GREEN BAY, WI – Thousands of kids packed the atrium at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers for the YMCA Healthy Kids Day on May 2nd 2009. Throughout the day, kids around the state were introduced to a popular new form of videogame exercise called “Exergaming”. Exergaming is a new form of exercise by playing video games that require movement and interaction on all different levels! Exergaming inspires physical activity through the most cutting-edge...

Exergame Fitness Attends Games for Health 2009

on Jun 7, 2009 at 1:09pm

Chicago IL – Chicago based company Exergame Fitness USA, will be attending the 2009 Games for Health Conference located in Boston, Massachusetts. This year’s conference features two-days of talks, more than 300 attendees and 40 sessions provided by an international array of over 50 speakers cutting across a wide range of activities in health and health care. Topics include Exergaming (Active Gaming), physical therapy, disease management, health behavior change, biofeedback,...

Exergame Fitness Helps Kids Get Fit!

on Apr 17, 2008 at 11:23pm

The Government's targets on obesity and physical activity create a massive opportunity for the health, fitness and educational sectors. From birth onwards, movement is essential to developing and maintaining health and emotional well being. But baby seats now move from car to pram, to highchair, limiting neurological and muscle development and flexability. And computer games and television provide a 'safe' and easy entertainment option for older children affecting...

Exergame Fitness Supports SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day

on Dec 14, 2010 at 10:20am

SGMA National Health Through Fitness Day (NHTF Day) is the culmination of a year round effort by the SGMA and its many sponsors and volunteers to pass major U.S. legislation to “Get America Moving”. For the past 10 years, the SGMA has brought people together in Washington, D.C. to accomplish our goals. Approximately 100 leaders from the sports, fitness, and PE industries meet in early March to lobby Congress to pass key legislation which will help our country overcome a...

Exergames - A Digital Drive for Healthy Living

on Jul 13, 2010 at 8:53am

EXERGAMES DOWNLOAD A POSITIVE HEALTH CHECK 4 COMPUTER GAMING Computer gaming, branded a major contributor to inactivity and obesity, is undergoing a radical rehabilitation as a healthy pastime thanks to new innovative Exergames. Computer games that incorporate physical activity – or Exergames - are at the heart of a digital environment being created to support wellness and healthy living. Scottish gaming companies with a global reputation as leaders in the industry are now being...

Exergames Gain Momentum!

on Jun 6, 2008 at 7:51am

As seen on: Be Fit With Biray Original Article Here: http://befitwithbiray.com/2008/06/06/exergames-gain-momentum/The field of exergaming and ‘games for health’ continue to grow. The momentum is strong and the scientists, programmers and health/fitness professionals have been rapidly pushing its research, development, and application. I’ve been following and even participating in some of these discussions, and I thought I’d share some highlights from the past few...

Exergames Help Kids Lose Weight

on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:25am

“Exergames” Help Kids Lose Weight” Dance Dance Revolution, a video game in which players compete to keep up with dance steps to popular music, is helping kids lose weight. West Virginia school officials implemented Dance Dance Revolution in all public schools as part of a statewide physical education initiative. An evaluation of the program found that the games improve the fitness levels of regular participants. While typical video...

ExerGames: Nοt Jυѕt Another Health Craze!

on Feb 7, 2011 at 10:50am

Article bу Katt Mollar Active video games otherwise known аѕ Exergames аrе being touted аѕ tһе ultimate cure fΟr obesity. Refreshing, ѕіחсе everyone іѕ still looking fΟr tһаt magic diet pill! Iח contrast tΟ traditional video games, tһіѕ “active entertainment gaming system allows players tΟ experience various activities such аѕ bowling, fishing, tennis аחԁ golf іח a virtual world” Οr “even take...

Exergaming Kicks into High Gear with New Study & Exergame Fitness Products

on Apr 20, 2008 at 12:25pm

Exergaming Kicks into High Gear with New Study & Exergame Fitness Products In other news, a pilot study has come out of New Zealand showing that exergaming titles are just as good as casual exercise. No surprise there, but it’s nice to see the empirical data bear out common sense and provide argument ammo against doubters. Exergaming is at the leading edge of helping kids become fit and active. Exergame Fitness USA carries the largest selection of Exergaming titles...

Exergaming New Trend In Parkinson's Treatment

on Dec 19, 2009 at 1:53pm

A combination of exercise and video games is helping some patients with Parkinson's Disease. What was life like before 68-year-old Bob Rohrman started exer-gaming to help his Parkinson's? "My biggest scare when I first was diagnosed with it was that I would trip and fall, but now I don't have that problem," Rohrman said. Rohrman took part in a study that was funded by the National Parkinson's Foundation that combined movement or exercise with the playing of video...

Findings for the 2010 Shape of the Nation Report

on Jun 3, 2010 at 3:42pm

The Shape of the Nation Report provides a current picture of physical education (PE) in the American education system. Incremental improvements have been made in the last few years in the number of states that now require PE (17% increase) and student assessment in PE (26% increase). However, the Report shows that more states now allow waivers and exemptions from PE classes (77% increase) and no progress has been made in providing daily physical education in all grades...

For Pro Athletes, Practice That’s All in the Thumbs

on Apr 5, 2010 at 4:05pm

Future Fitness

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:45pm

Gaming’s next big thing doesn’t involve guns or fantasy worlds but weight belts and yoga mats by Neilie Johnson (Gamepro Magazine) January 10, 2011 The majority of the public probably thinks that exergaming–otherwise known as exertainment, virtual exercise or digital fitness–is a recent phenomenon, but the fusion of video games and exercise has been around for going on thirty years. Seen in gaming’s infancy as a mere novelty, 21st century industry trends indicate...

Is Exergaming the Answer to 2011 New Year’s Resolutions?

on Jan 4, 2011 at 11:07am

by Michelle Heng January 4, 2011 By the ZippyCart Shopping Cart Reviews Content Team Move over Shakeweight, the latest trend in fitness dominating 2011 looks to be “exergaming,” the combination of exercise and video gaming. With only a handful of days into the New Year, a shift immediately has occurred in what consumers are looking to purchase. This is a time when people are so committed to sticking with their New Year’s resolutions, it causes those spending habits and product...

Mayor Daley’s Chicago Sports Festival 2010 Dec 18th-19th

on Dec 11, 2010 at 11:32am

The Mayor's Office of Special Events presents Chicago Sports Fest,  so save the date, it's FREE!!! This event takes place December 18 & 19, 2010 at McCormick Place in Halls A & B (2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive) What began as a basketball only tournament named Holiday Hoops in 2000 became Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival. Envisioned by Mayor Daley, the end result now encompasses both tournaments and interactive zones. Combined, the event attracts approximately 85,000...

Michelle Obama aims to end child obesity in a generation

on Feb 9, 2010 at 11:52am

As part of first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging its members to check the body mass index, a number that takes into account height and weight, of all children at every checkup. Children and parents also will get a prescription for healthy, active living that they can discuss with their doctors. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? Several top nutrition and fitness experts offer their ideas for changes that need to be...

Motion Fitness Presents at Nintendo and American Heart Association Event

on Jan 11, 2011 at 4:56pm

In one of the first of its kind, Motion Fitness will be speaking at the Power of Play conference, hosted by Nintendo and the American Heart Association on January 12th, 2011. Motion Fitness will bring its experience in the exergaming industry to the conference by focusing on community organizations like the YMCA, and how they are the ideal family-oriented establishment to make a high-level shift in the Active Play / Exergame market to encourage physical activity. The YMCA is a driver...

Mrs. Obama said: “Folks in West Virginia have taken the lead in bringing 'DDR' -- that's 'Dance, Dance Revolution' -- it's a new video game that gets kids up and moving,”

on Feb 21, 2010 at 9:35am

ABC News’ Yunji de Nies reports: Michelle Obama is calling on the country’s governors to help in the battle against childhood obesity. "Let's act. Let's move. Let's give our kids the future they deserve, " she said in a speech, kicking off the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association. “There's no place for politics when it comes to fighting childhood obesity,” Mrs. Obama said, “Because with a phone call or the stroke of a pen, you can determine whether a child...

New Exergame Fitness club combines exercise and games

on May 18, 2010 at 9:13am

POCATELLO — The Gold’s Gym plaza keeps growing, and the businesses there feed off each other. In one way or another, they’re all focused on healthy living. The plaza now includes Gold’s Gym, dental and physical therapy practices, Subway, a day care focused on Gold’s customers, Sunsations spa and tanning, Marigolds, a wine and delicacies shop that will offer healthy cooking classes, and a kids fitness center that combines video games with exercise. The businesses complement each...

Obesity rates continue to be on the rise, especially in the South

on Jul 8, 2011 at 10:21am

msnbc.com news services updated 7/7/2011 11:25:09 AM ET Full Report Here Americans keep getting fatter, especially in the South   LOS ANGELES — In 1995, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. Now, all but one does. An annual obesity report by two public health groups looked for the first time at state-by-state statistics over the last two decades. The number of obese U.S. adults rose in 16 states in the last year, helping to push obesity rates in...

Reese Sebastian Diaz from Disney's Beauty and the Beast loves Exergaming!

on Feb 19, 2010 at 5:05pm

"I'm having a blast during my time off in Peoria! Thanks Deb, NETworks, and Riverplex for a fantastic fun filled day. RiverPlex is home to an awesome exercising game zone that has a bunch of awesome games and activities that get your heart pumping! My favorites were virtual dodge-ball on Lightspace Play, the Skywall (never-ending rock climbing), Wii fit, Dance Dance Revolution, and Makoto. After breaking a sweat, we headed over to AquaPlex to check out their indoor water complex,...

Reinventing Physical Education for Middle-Schoolers

on Jun 30, 2010 at 10:26am

A UC Irvine pediatrician's research heavily influenced a new study out Sunday that shows healthier school lunches and longer, more vigorous physical activity for middle-schoolers can reduce obesity rates. The key, says Dr. Dan Cooper, a pediatrics professor at UCI, is providing activities kids enjoy. Plus, there's too much standing around in P.E.  "In a 45-minute class, if a P.E. instructor isn’t careful, he could lose 10-15 minutes just doing roll call," he said. "By the time...

Running boosts brain power, studies show

on Jan 20, 2011 at 11:16am

James Dunsford The next time dads are looking for a boost in intelligence, it may be best for them to lace up their running shoes instead of opening up a book. A growing body of research suggests that in addition to improving one's physical health, cardiovascular exercise might make people smarter, Men's Health reports. There is a great deal of evidence that supports the findings. Its no surprise that most successful men adhere to a strict exercise regimen that emphasizes...

The Current State and Future of “Exergaming”

on Jan 25, 2011 at 4:55pm

By Jorge Figueiredo - January 24th, 2011 Torontothumbs.com I recently had the opportunity to pose some questions about “exergaming” to Ubisoft Montreal game designer, Nicola Godin. After some phone interview glitches prevented us from connecting over the PSTN, he was nice enough to answer the questions I posed via E-mail. Here is what we talked about… JF: Do you find that a lot of people don’t take “exergaming” very seriously? NG: First, I think we can say...

The Exergame Network marches on the Games for Health 2010

on May 14, 2010 at 6:50pm

Original Media Source Here In Boston between May 24th and 27th, the annual Games for Healthconference takes place. If you are a member of The Exergame Network's Skype calls, Wiki, LinkedIn or Facebook collaboration groups then here's a chance to meet outside the virtual world! Talking of Virtual Worlds, the 25th (traditionally known as pre-conference day) has both "Virtual Worlds & Social and Games For Health" and "Games Accessibility" days. This year sees the addition of the...

Video Games that Include Exercise Appear to Reduce Depression in Senior Citizens

on Jun 30, 2010 at 9:57am

Subjects chose Nintendo Wii Sports games to play on their own – tennis, bowling, baseball, golf or boxing Feb. 25, 2010 – New research suggests a novel route to improving the symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD) in senior citizens through the regular use of “exergames” – entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise. In a pilot study, the researchers found that use of exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in...

Wii bowling keeps seniors fit

on Jan 10, 2011 at 12:27pm

January 07, 2011 4:42 PM Molly McGowan/Times-News Whoever assumes new video game technology is just for the youngest generations has never met the young-at-heart at the Kernodle Senior Center. These seniors have no problems operating their Nintendo Wii remotes, navigating the buttons and arrows to switch the angles for their digital bowlers. On the first Thursday of every month, they come out to compete in friendly – but fierce – frames of Wii Bowling, sponsored by Home ...