Jung Eun Lee ¹, Charles Huang, Ph.D. ² Zachary Pope ¹, and Zan Gao, Ph.D. ¹

¹ School of Kinesiology, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

² School of Education, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX

Abstract

Active video games require players to be physically active. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is an interactive dancing game that requires fast-foot movement coordinated with energetic music and visuals. The Wii and Xbox Kinect games have also become good active video games for the promotion of physical activity participation. These games are much more interactive than traditional games because more body movements are added to the video game experiences. Active video games, if applied in extracurricular settings, will be helpful in maximizing the opportunity for children to be active. As such, this article discusses the health benefits of these active video games, and how to integrate these games into after-school physical activity programs. Additionally, the article also provides strategies for the implementation of DDR, Wii and the Xbox to stage the games, establish competitive/non-competitive physical activity atmospheres, promote teamwork, and improve student physical activity levels.

Keywords:

Dance Dance Revolution, physical activity, school children, Wii, Xbox Kinect

Category

Technology in P.E.

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