Wii Games Help Seniors

“Be prepared for extra energy.”

wii games

A recent study found that “exergames” may help older adults stay active. Video games like Wii Sports or Wii Fit (which uses a board to do the exercises) can help senior citizens get fit. I’ve also found success with those kind of Wii games.

I’ve had my fair share of gym time, but I’m what you might call a shy member. There are things that don’t jive with me in that environment, such as:

  • Locker rooms: They remind me of gym class in junior high, and I always hated changing in front of others. Plus, I tend to forget the combination to my lock.
  • Physical trainers: For some reason, these professionals hone in on me. I’m such a pushover that I listen to their spiels. Once, I even signed up for personal sessions (though I didn’t have the time or the money) because he “really needed to meet a quota,” but then I reneged shortly after.
  • Waiting period: Sometimes all the machines get filled, and I need to wait for an opening. Or there are actual time limits imposed on the usage (I’m thinking about you, UCLA Wooden Center).

However, I am a proponent of exercising in the privacy of my home. I’ve tried a variety of tapes/DVDs, including Pilates, Richard Simmons, and Tae Bo. Then when video games took off, I used them for fitness training as well. In fact, on my first visit to the OB/GYN when I was pregnant with my oldest child, I filled out the medical information form and put Dance Dance Revolution as part of my exercise routine. But you know what, games like Wii Fit and Wii EA Sports Active really did help me take off the weight once my child was born.

Anyway, video games seem to help older adults with exercising regularly. They’ve also been linked to improving mood and providing connection among the senior community.

What’s your favorite Wii game?

 

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Comments

  1. I exercise to workout DVDs and don’t have any Wii fitness games, but I do have the Michael Jackson Dance Wii game. When I first got it, I did it all the time. So much fun. I haven’t used it in a while. I’ll have to dig it back out. :)

  2. I don’t play video games, but like you I am a little bit of a pushover. So I’m also an easy prey for the trainers…
    I exercise regularly and play my own playlist while at the gym.
    I tend to agree that all sorts of games and physical exercise are great for our minds. So aging people can only benefit.
    That and being bilingual, I heard. Lucky us!!!!

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