It is no surprise to hear that our youth are getting fatter. Obesity rates in children have almost tripled in the last 25 years (Shields, 2011). What has changed in the last 25 years to make this so? We are now living in a world that is so technologically advanced that children rarely have to move from their seats to get something done. Items such as: smart phones, iPod’s, and laptops have made our lives easier and faster while computer games, video games, and television have made our lives less active. Children spend about 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen and only about 25 minutes a day reading a book (Shields, 2011). This immense amount of screen time is one of the leading factors of childhood obesity. Video game companies are aware of this problem and have retaliated by creating interactive games known as exergames. These video games require you to move your body to play a sport or active game. Exergames are extremely popular all over the world and have even started to be used in some Physical Education classes in schools. As a soon to be Physical Education teacher I try to stay up to date with the latest technologies, especially those that apply to my field. However, I do not believe exergames should be incorporated into gym class and should only be used at home for fun.
Since the release of exergames few studies have been conducted to test their validity. Those studies that have been conducted have shown both advantages and disadvantages to these interactive video games. The benefits of exergaming range from having children comfortable in their own environments to having them gain confidence through personal improvements. Research shows that children these days see screen technologies as an integral part of their everyday lives (Katz, 2011). Therefore, if children are going to participate in these activities regardless, why not provide a more active alternative to the traditional sedentary video games. Evidence also shows that “many students dread traditional Physical Education programs because they lack skills, have poor physical fitness, or are often just not interested” (Katz, 2011). Introducing exergaming into Physical Education programs would allow students to experience the fun of video games with the importance of exercise. Another benefit of exergames is that children are playing against themselves and do not have the added pressure of matching up to their peers. When they are successful at a game they learn more, their confidence improves, and their desire to “stay in the game” increases (Schmauss, 2011). Nevertheless, these proven advantages are not enough to convince me that exergames belong in Physical Education.
Notice how many students are sitting out?
What skills are being developed here?
Active gaming, although fun, is no substitute for real sports and activities (Daley, 2009). The reason students dread gym class stems from their sedentary nature. They have poor physical fitness and lack skills because they are not active. Exergames do provide some exercise to students at home but not enough to meet their daily requirements (Mollar, 2011). Physical Education classes allow students to meet the daily requirement, improve fitness, and gain skills if they are willing to participate. Another problem with including exergames into a Physical Education program is cost and maintenance. The average price of an Xbox is 300 to 400 dollars with each separate game costing approximately 60 to 70 dollars. The Wii Fit’s cost on average 200 to 300 dollars with separate prices for their games as well (Pricegrabber.com, 2011). Those prices might be acceptable if one console and one game satisfied an entire gym class. However, these games only allow 1 to 4 people to play at a time. With a gym class usually consisting of approximately 30 students it is obvious that exergames are not a good or fair use of class time. Finally, exergames are played between a child and a computer. The amount of social interaction a child receives is low. Being a part of a sports team or a member of a gym allows children to socially interact with other people who have similar interests. It is in Physical Education where these social interactions first start and it is the teachers that introduce students to many different kinds of physical activity. Including exergaming into the Physical Education program would discourage those students who dread gym from fully participating in other areas. Exergames are a good activity to play at home for fun but they should not be included into the Physical Education program.
What skills are being developed here?
Active gaming, although fun, is no substitute for real sports and activities (Daley, 2009). The reason students dread gym class stems from their sedentary nature. They have poor physical fitness and lack skills because they are not active. Exergames do provide some exercise to students at home but not enough to meet their daily requirements (Mollar, 2011). Physical Education classes allow students to meet the daily requirement, improve fitness, and gain skills if they are willing to participate. Another problem with including exergames into a Physical Education program is cost and maintenance. The average price of an Xbox is 300 to 400 dollars with each separate game costing approximately 60 to 70 dollars. The Wii Fit’s cost on average 200 to 300 dollars with separate prices for their games as well (Pricegrabber.com, 2011). Those prices might be acceptable if one console and one game satisfied an entire gym class. However, these games only allow 1 to 4 people to play at a time. With a gym class usually consisting of approximately 30 students it is obvious that exergames are not a good or fair use of class time. Finally, exergames are played between a child and a computer. The amount of social interaction a child receives is low. Being a part of a sports team or a member of a gym allows children to socially interact with other people who have similar interests. It is in Physical Education where these social interactions first start and it is the teachers that introduce students to many different kinds of physical activity. Including exergaming into the Physical Education program would discourage those students who dread gym from fully participating in other areas. Exergames are a good activity to play at home for fun but they should not be included into the Physical Education program.
