Q: Do active video games such as FootGaming count toward recommended amounts of physical activity?
A: Playing video games that involve movement and increase a player’s heart rate and breathing noticeably would be considered moderate physical activity. Moderate physical activity feels like you are exerting yourself to a rating of 5 or 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. Another sign of moderate-intensity activity is that you can talk but not sing.
The intensity of activity considered moderate for any individual depends on his or her level of fitness. For more see this section of our Footgaming site.
Researchers are just beginning to objectively study the impact of active video games on overall level of physical activity and fitness, mostly among children and teens. Results are mixed, but a few studies suggest that games even at the lowest levels are clearly a step up from the more sedentary activity of watching television or sitting and playing video games. For beginners we usually suggest an untimed game that can be played very slowly (with great balance practice) up to fast-paced levels as skill improves. This game is Bejeweled by PopCap.
Actually, the intensity of activity considered moderate for any individual depends on his or her level of fitness. So for some people whose sedentary lifestyle, illness or excess weight has led to a low level of fitness, even the easiest entry level of Footgaming can be beneficial. Because FooGgaming allows you to work in gravity and the games are played involving whole body movement they may actually be moderate activity.
For those who get really skilled at Zuma, Chuzzle, even MahJong and word games, the FootGaming workout can generate aerobic activity in the 50-80% max levels.
