Konami Dance Revolution Fighting Child Obesity in Schools
If you haven't been following the video game world, you probably aren't aware that schools are now using video games such as Konami dance revolution to get kids exercising.
More commonly know as Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR, you may have seen this game at arcade places, on Youtube, and maybe even at your child's school.
Most video games have contributed to today's children being overweight and out of shape.
But not DDR.
This dance style game has kids dancing to cool beats and working up a sweat.
The video game that started out in the arcades (and since moved into home game consoles) has helped spawn a new industry called "exergaming" or "exertainment" games.
And it is now even being used in exercise clubs and in school gym classes.
Many schools throughout the U.
S.
have now added DDR to their physical education curriculum.
A few examples of schools that now use DDR in their P.
E.
classes are the Los Angeles Unified School District - where there are over 40 schools using DDR to help their students get exercise.
And West Virginia has 185 middle schools using it.
The Konami dance revolution arcade game is played by watching a screen that tells you where to put your feet while, at the same time, playing upbeat songs.
Think of it as a video "twister" game on steroids.
Once you score high enough with correct foot movements, you get to move on to the next level - a new song and a bit harder dance steps.
Players can dance by themselves or with a partner.
DDR is not the two step - it takes stamina, coordination, and quick reflexes.
And DDR's exercise benefits are backed by research.
Mayo Clinic researcher in Rochester, Minn.
, did a study of children engaged in various forms of activity.
They monitored the children as they watched TV, played regular video games, and played DDR.
The researchers found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution expended much more energy than children watching television and/or playing regular video games.
They also found that playing DDR expended more energy than a brisk walk.
Another study suggested that an hour of DDR playtime, even at the beginner level, would help children lose weight.
The activity is also within recommended guidelines for cardiac fitness.
And all while kids were having fun.
It is estimated that over 1,500 schools in the U.
S.
will have incorporated Dance Dance Revolution into their physical education classes by the end of 2010.
And as more and more adults catch on to the DDR craze, more exercise clubs will continue to add the game to their line of "workout" equipment.
And adults are definitely jumping (or dancing) on the DDR bandwagon, as they realize the physical fitness benefits of the game, not just for their kids but for themselves as well.
The best thing about DDR, a.
k.
a.
Konami dance revolution, is that anyone with a tv and a PlayStation or similar game console can have fun playing the game, and gain the physical fitness benefits as well right from their home living room.
More commonly know as Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR, you may have seen this game at arcade places, on Youtube, and maybe even at your child's school.
Most video games have contributed to today's children being overweight and out of shape.
But not DDR.
This dance style game has kids dancing to cool beats and working up a sweat.
The video game that started out in the arcades (and since moved into home game consoles) has helped spawn a new industry called "exergaming" or "exertainment" games.
And it is now even being used in exercise clubs and in school gym classes.
Many schools throughout the U.
S.
have now added DDR to their physical education curriculum.
A few examples of schools that now use DDR in their P.
E.
classes are the Los Angeles Unified School District - where there are over 40 schools using DDR to help their students get exercise.
And West Virginia has 185 middle schools using it.
The Konami dance revolution arcade game is played by watching a screen that tells you where to put your feet while, at the same time, playing upbeat songs.
Think of it as a video "twister" game on steroids.
Once you score high enough with correct foot movements, you get to move on to the next level - a new song and a bit harder dance steps.
Players can dance by themselves or with a partner.
DDR is not the two step - it takes stamina, coordination, and quick reflexes.
And DDR's exercise benefits are backed by research.
Mayo Clinic researcher in Rochester, Minn.
, did a study of children engaged in various forms of activity.
They monitored the children as they watched TV, played regular video games, and played DDR.
The researchers found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution expended much more energy than children watching television and/or playing regular video games.
They also found that playing DDR expended more energy than a brisk walk.
Another study suggested that an hour of DDR playtime, even at the beginner level, would help children lose weight.
The activity is also within recommended guidelines for cardiac fitness.
And all while kids were having fun.
It is estimated that over 1,500 schools in the U.
S.
will have incorporated Dance Dance Revolution into their physical education classes by the end of 2010.
And as more and more adults catch on to the DDR craze, more exercise clubs will continue to add the game to their line of "workout" equipment.
And adults are definitely jumping (or dancing) on the DDR bandwagon, as they realize the physical fitness benefits of the game, not just for their kids but for themselves as well.
The best thing about DDR, a.
k.
a.
Konami dance revolution, is that anyone with a tv and a PlayStation or similar game console can have fun playing the game, and gain the physical fitness benefits as well right from their home living room.
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