The trend is kicking the world of video games up a notch. It is the in-thing in the developed world and among affluent kids in the developing world.

Want to be physically fit without leaving your home? Not a fan of the gym or jogging, but you love dancing and other indoor activities? Then, exergaming might be your way out for a better body. Exergaming is a term used for video games that also act as forms of exercise. Exergaming relies on the technology that tracks body movement or reaction. This technology has been credited with upending the stereotype of gaming as a sedentary activity, as it promotes an active lifestyle. So, you get to play while also having a serious workout.

The trend is kicking the world of video games up a notch. It is the in-thing in the developed world and among affluent kids in the developing world.

Exergames are seen as evolving from technology changes aimed at making video games more fun. With Kung fu, boxing, biking, and dance softwares, the goal of many of todays popular video games is achieved by getting you off the couch and on the way to a pulse-pounding workout. If you have a video game console like the Kinect for Xbox 360, PlayStationMove or the Wii Fit – — you may be able to do just that.

The question are: does exergaming work? Is exergaming evidenced based?

The University of Calgary Exergaming Research Centre, the American Council on Exercise and the University of Massachusetts Department of Exercise and Health Sciences all offer a qualified YES!!

When used at intermediate or high intensity, exergaming can indeed improve fitness — though some exercise games make that easier than others. For example a moderate 3 mph walk burns about four calories a minute or 120 calories per half hour. However, it is noteworthy that research indicates that exergames do not actually promote a more active lifestyle. But according to experts exergaming has the potential to be a safe and effective tool for maintaining or improving cardiovascular fitness, if the right games and options are selected, says researchers at the American Council on Exercise.

Whether it’s boxing, biking, or dancing games, the conclusion on exergaming by those who should know (health and wellness professionals) is that; It sure beats sitting around. Get active today, physical inactivity kills slowly.

– (Excerpts from Wikipedia and Exercise, losing weight with exergaming by Wendy C Fries).

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Damilola Alawode is training to be a public health physician. He is also undertaking a Msc in Sports and Exercise Medicine. He is an advocate for the promotion of physical activity/exercise.  He blogs at www.dalawode.wordpress.com and tweets from @DAlawode.

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.