Games can be good for you, say scientists

By Ellie Gibson Published 20 July, 2009

Wii titles and DDR, to be specific.

Scientists at the University of Oklahoma have made the amazing discovery that waving your arms about or jumping up and down burns more calories than sitting still.

As reported by the LA Times, the scientists did a study of 23 kids aged between 10 and 13. They measured how many calories they used up resting, watching TV and using a treadmill. Then they monitored them while playing Wii Sports boxing and bowling, and playing Dance Dance Revolution on two different skill settings.

While playing the games, the kids burned at least as many calories as while doing moderate to intense walking - and about three times as many as they did while resting.

"An important feature of exergaming is the entertainment factor, which may motivate some users more than traditional exercise modes," the scientists wrote in their report. Well worth attending university to work that out.

"Active games such as DDR or Wii may offer an alternative to sedentary screen games and could be incorporated into more structured exercise programs as a complement to activities such as walking and cycling."

In other news: chips make you fat.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (17) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Toothball #1 3 years ago

    Biggest work out I get these days is drumming on Rock Band. Several hours on that is fairly tiring.

  • RexRunti #2 3 years ago

    They should really do a study comparing calories burned when watching TV or playing a standard video game like Gears of War or Uncharted.

  • Ninja_Tino #3 3 years ago

    Indeed. Makes more sense than proving that being physical burns more calories than sitting still.

  • MeBrains #4 3 years ago

    waw... I suppose this took them years of intense study.

  • Canyarion #5 3 years ago

    One of the reasons I got DDR (Mario Mix) was to burn some calories. I did about 45 hours a day, for 2 weeks. Then I grew a bit tired of it, and I just get it out when I have friends over, or really need some exercise.

  • Negotiator #6 3 years ago

    "One of the reasons I got DDR (Mario Mix) was to burn some calories. I did about 45 hours a day, for 2 weeks. Then I grew a bit tired of it, and I just get it out when I have friends over, or really need some exercise."

    cany my boy, that is really something when you codsider there is only 24 hours in a day.
    Edited by Negotiator at 20/07/09 @ 10:23

  • breedob #7 3 years ago

    @Negotiator - LOL that is impressive!

  • TwinFire #8 3 years ago

    DDR is great fun, everyone should play play it, then I wont be so unpopular

  • Metalfish #9 3 years ago

    The "scientists think x" journalistic formula is pretty horrible. Actually look at your sources for once, even if you're sort of having a laugh as in the case here.

    the sample size for this study is, quite frankly, rubbish. Worse is the LA Times' reporting of it.

  • rhubarbandcustard #10 3 years ago

    "In other news: chips make you fat. "

    No they don't.

    In other news: salads leave you feeling hungry and moody, and games will never make you fit. But hey, exercising will! Yippee.

  • Sulphur_Man #11 3 years ago

    How many times has this "story" been regurgitated? The world certainly isnt a worse place because of video games. End of.

  • sneetch #12 3 years ago

    That's some valuable research with astonishing results there. :)

  • Ninja_Tino #13 3 years ago

    Everyone is getting some serious negative feedback with these comments.

  • VMerken #14 3 years ago

    Going to apply for a grant at the University of Oklahoma. A study of the relationship between Christianity and the Pope may lead to staggering conclusions!
    Edited by VMerken at 20/07/09 @ 17:16

  • smelly #15 3 years ago

    Im not convinced. So many people on forums are always moaning about how holding the wiimote makes their "arm hurt" so i think there's some way to go in getting gaming kids fit.

    (maybe put a dumbell on the end of the wiimote?)

  • smelly #16 3 years ago

    why so many negatives in this thread?

    (gone thru plusing everyones relevant comments to balance it back)

  • Sharzam #17 3 years ago

    Damm fine jourlism, bring us the news from all over the world regardless of its point.

    (i am actually being ironically complementary but thats difficult to show when using typed words)