The article in USA Today on July 31, 2008 says that active video games such as Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) uplift kids’ active level. According to the research, active video games need twofold energy compared to sedentary video games and help kids’oxygen consumption and heart rate level. Sports games have positive effect on children’s body. However, Craig Buschner, a professor of kinesiology casts doubt on this new research. He believes that these games just a tool to keep kids active. They shouldn’t play games instead of biking or playing tag.
I think this new research is best news for both parents and children. Because kids can consume their calories having fun. Parents who want kids to keep active don’t worry about kidnapping or hitting by car. They are able to have their kids play in sight of them.
Take a look at this movie.
Playing DDR is surely hard exercise. But, be careful. Playing too much is a strain on your knees like this boy!
It is even more surprises that some schools in The U.S. install DDR to add it to their programs. I wished I would have had "a playing-games class" when I was in a school. Playing games are far more fun than a half hour of running or working out at a gym. Besides, kids can be active anytime in and out of season, under good and bad weather.
However, I also understand what a professor Craig Buschner says. I believe that kids have to go outside to build up a strong body against a cold, and they sometimes need to get fresh air and some sun (Maybe how to works on a body is another research topic.) I used to play video games a lot when I was a kid. But at the same time, I played a tag, hide-and-seek a lot as well. I could build up myself physically and mentally by playing outside. Because I learned that I bled and it hurt when I fell down earlier in my life, and I never cried out when I got some pain. I want kids who spend most of a day to know them.
14 years ago
2 comments:
Yes, it is so important to get outside and interact with the natural world. This contact helps us develop our spiritual connection to the greater world as well as our interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence. People need to have a balance of many types of development to be healthy and successful.
I agree with Linda. I believe that computers are great inventions, and some of the games are a lot of fun, but I also believe there is something inherently energy-consuming about sitting in front of a screen all day. I know when I work too much in front of the computer, writing or something like that, I sometimes need to stop and go outside to feel natural light on me. Something about the sun and fresh air calms me, and the space allows me to move in more ways than just what is necessary in order to play a game or type on the computer.
I think the biggest problem these days is not necessarily video games, but the availability of movies and tv shows on the internet. Watching those kinds of things are even less active.
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