Is Nintendo Wii a Real Workout?

The new active Nintendo Wii games may get you off the couch, but can they be called a workout? Good news for gamers: Researchers at the American Heart Association say that the games can increase energy expenditure as much moderate intensity exercise.

Nintendo funded the study, which found that approximately one-third of the games and activities in Wii sports require an energy expenditure of 3.0 METS or above. METS (metabolic equivalent values) measure how much energy you burn off.

The single-arm stand in Wii fit was the most effective exercise, coming in at 5.6 METS Wii tennis and baseball games are also good choice with 3.0 METS each. Scientists hope that the games usher in a new era of physical activity.

The research was presented at the American Heart Association scientific meeting in Orlando, Florida.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert