Posted Nov 05, 2006 at 01:21PM by Karl B. Listed in: Self Well-being Tags: Step2Play
Ó

Step2PlayHas your mom or dad ever told you to stop playing videogames and go play outside instead? Well, if you're below 12 years old, then you might not hear them say that again. Instead, you might end up being subjected to a different kind of exercise.

See, there's this machine that has been developed to encourage children to work out while they are playing computer games. It's called the Step2Play step exercise machine, and it links directly to a videogame console. When the Step2Play is connected, the game's controller will only work if the child keeps up a constant pre-set rate of exercise.

Dr. Ian Campbell, medical director of Weight Concern, had this to say about the machine: "We know children are not as active as they need to be. Anything that encourages them to exercise has to be helpful. However, how sad that we have to bribe children into physical activity. It's a terrible indictment on our society."

Not everybody feels pessimistic about the machine, though. Dr. Colin Waine, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, supports the Step2Play machine and had this to say: "Sport doesn't appeal to everybody and we have got to think beyond the playing field. This machine is a novel way of getting children to be more active. I don't think it's a bribe, it's just an incentive."

The director of Step2Play's launcher Gymkids, Rick Dalton, adds that while he doesn't think that parents will ever be able to stop playing with their videogame consoles and go frolic under the sun, "Step2Play combines both activities and, whilst it isn't an alternative to outdoor play and exercise, it is one way of combining a previously sedentary activity with a bit of movement and exercise."

Will it work? We have no idea. The "movement and exercise" thing sounds like one of the things that the Wii is aiming for, though. Plus, we're thinking that in today's world, even kids under 12 are tech-savvy enough to find a way around the Step2Play. Still, it's for a good cause, so maybe it'll really end up helping kids. We just don't think the kids themselves would want to have a go at it, though. After all, it's kind of hard to focus on playing when you also have to keep walking on a stepping machine.


[Via BBC News] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

Bookmark / Find this article on:

2 Comments


Sort by:
   by Advertising -
   by EvilTikiMan (Unregistered) - 2006-11-05
 » Bout time

Its about @#$% time! I was thinking of this the otherday. I personally wouldnt mind using a steping machine while i play a game. Heck i actually would prefer to stand up when i play the Wii. It seems hard to sit down to play it. Power to this product.

   by michael (Unregistered) - 2006-11-22
 » nfapt

Stepping to TV is an awesome way!

NFAPT offers certification in personal training, sports nutrition, aerobics, pilates, and kickboxing. President Michael Rocco invites students to enroll now at added discounts.

http://www.nfapt.com



Add QJ.NET
Add to My Yahoo!
Google Reader Subscribe with Bloglines
Add  to your Kinja digest Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Add 'www.qj.net' to Newsburst from CNET News.com
Subscribe with SearchFox RSS del.icio.us www.qj.net
Add to Technorati Favorite! Add to My AOL
furl! it Stumble for Treehugger!
User Favorites - November
Most Commented
No commented articles
User Favorites - November
Top Jumps
No available articles using criteria

 Username: 
 Password:
Forgot password
New user registration



Poll
Are unidentified flying objects (UFOs) really alien spaceships?
Earth Science
General Science
Health Science
Space
Archives