The #3 Criticism to be discussed, out of the seven previously mentioned, is the concept that traditional physical activity is better than technological physical activity. My initial thought...“Who cares, we are not in a competition." We are promoting appropriate physical activity. At this point, with the obesity rates high and physical activity levels low, we need to take what we can get: traditional or technological (active gaming). Let me further explain...
We know traditional physical activity provides a multitude of benefits to participants. There may be benefits that traditional activity provides that active gaming does not; yet, research continues to support active gaming as an appropriate and acceptable physical activity. More research is needed to identify all of the benefits participating in active gaming may provide; however, in regards to the National recommendations, we know participating in technology driven activities can provide moderate to vigorous physical activity experiences. Regardless, this is really not the point. The point is that traditional or “reality” physical activity is not engaging or appealing to all children and adults. The National physical activity recommendations for both children and adults are not being met. It is clear that individuals are simply not choosing to be traditionally active. They are more motivated to participate in sedentary behaviors such as those involving technology (i.e. video games and computer games).
We have one common goal: To increase physical activity levels. Should it matter how this goal is met as long as the activity involved is appropriate and healthy? Active gaming may even prove to encourage participants to become more traditionally active by producing a gateway effect linking virtual play to “reality” play.
Think about this question, “How is traditional physical activity better if individuals are NOT doing it”? If active gaming increases voluntary physical activity levels and is considered an appropriate physical activity, why discourage its use opposed to more sedentary behaviors? Times have changed; society has changed; the economy continues to change; maybe the way we exercise is changing also.
Active gaming is an appropriate physical activity: Get your Game On OR Go Outside and play. Either option Wins over being inactive!
2 comments:
I can see the day when technology driven exertion activites may well give rise to new forms of sports which will transcend our current conventions on what is 'traditional sport or activity'. We are well on the way in fact with Machine Dance being classified as a sport in several European nations and having already held multiple world championships. Many Asian nations have taken computer gaming to the next level with e-Sport championships, I can well envisage a similar seachange in technology driven fitness creating a new sports genre, perhaps iSport or simply another form of 'real' sport.
A tremendous advantage in digital technology exertion activities is their ability to connect to large numbers of participants, through the net, to anywhere else in the world. This allows cooperative and competitive multiplayer interactions that would otherwise be cost prohibitive or otherwise impossible. Far from being a choice of 'real' or 'virtual' activity this genre offers a massive potential to reinvent how we can mobilize our entire communities for improved health and wellbeing, exciting times ahead :)
Hi Brett,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the concept of technology becoming a more common form of physical activity. This certainly goes along with the idea that maybe the way we exercise is changing or will continue to evolve - which is certainly not a bad thing as long as we are "moving"...
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