Video Games: Good for the Body, Good for the Brain

Mon Oct 1, 2007 5:48PM EDT

See Comments (68)

Treadmills and stretching are out: Physical therapists are turning to the Nintendo Wii to help the injured and infirm get their grooves back while increasing flexibility and strength. Click on over to see a video of a 70-year-old patient looking awfully spry as he hits a few balls in Nintendo's Wii Sports tennis game... all part of a medical therapy regimen.

This is hardly the first time that video games have been used for medical and health purposes. Nintendo's Brain Age series is popularly prescribed to help elderly patients stay sharp as a sort of "exercise" for the mind. Re-Mission was designed for children with cancer, helping to inform them about treatment while keeping their spirits up during therapy. The company says the game has been shown to actually improve the prognosis for patients, saying that players actually maintain higher chemotherapy levels in the blood, suggesting the game helps them stick to their therepy schedules [PDF link]. Check out the Games for Health initiative for more news on the topic.

The Wii, though, is moving gaming out of niche applications and into the mainstream because the console is so accessible to such a wide variety of players. (You should see my four-year-old play Wii Carnival Games.) The upcoming Wii Fit could be a real killer in this category for those who don't have the sense of rhythm that Dance Dance Revolution requires: Check out the video at the following link to see how it could make working out into something you look forward to, whether you're eight or eighty.

See, mom? I told you video games were good for you!

LINK: Nintendo Wii Providing Therapeutic Opportunity 

Comments on Video Games: Good for the Body, Good for the Brain

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 6 Posted by k2hammann on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wii rocks! Since I have purchased and used this system for the past 6 months I have lost 30 pounds and am in improved shape. Much more fun then a treadmill and less exspensive then a gym membership.

  • 7 Posted by brianykao on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree, if you can learn alot of tips such as these at oktipus.com . They post a random tip a day. very useful!

  • 8 Posted by softball_chick_102 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    i use the wii to get my are in shape for softball and it really works. it gets my arm moving and the strength back in it. i love it and im so glad we got one

  • 11 Posted by weatherboy93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    nice to see that their are some video games that don't lead to a comletely sedentary lifestyle...

  • 12 Posted by runeyhnry on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    aha i kneqw that my moms wrong all the time

  • 13 Posted by carl_bokma on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    The WII is STUPIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD. I cant believe that there going to make this stupid wii fit board. waste of money. 360 All the WAY. ----- ya

  • 14 Posted by jcfsh_unicorn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Did you see that old lady? Ooh, you go on with your bad self..lol That is soo going to be me at that age..lol

  • 15 Posted by savaman2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wii is a noob system. If you want or need exercise. Take a minute of your life and go outside!

  • 16 Posted by cntryldy351969 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its fantastic that all generations are getting the benefits of playing video games. And the fact that it can keep our minds in constant activity is an added bonus. Coming from a family where both my grandmother (who has since passed away) and my aunt have been diagnosed with alzheimers (I hope my mother is not next), its good to know that there are "fun" things still out there that may keep that at bay.

  • 19 Posted by stnlypg on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    WOW DATS DIFF3R. BUT i LiKE iT.H3Y iM GONNA TELL MY MOM THAT!!

  • 20 Posted by j_rahe19 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Wii is a fantastic system. It's appealing to all age groups. It's loads of fun and you also get lots of exercise.

  • 21 Posted by bucsbabe10 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I recently purchased the Wii for my 15 year old son's birthday. However, EVERYONE wants to play it. I had my 81 year old grandparents over the other day and they played and played. They loved it. The best is my neighbor who put the Wii onto a projector and puts it on the garage wall, talk about a little party of fun in the neighborhood! Although not cheap at all, still the best money I ever spent!!

  • 22 Posted by gzam415 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Carl why are you hating, have you EVER even tried the Wii? RE4 for the Wii is incredibly fun and you can get a REAL workout from some of those games on Wii Sports and Wii Play. Plus it is a great system for party's, thees nothing like a bunch of drunk people bowling or playing tennis or cow racing. I will admit that int he graphics department the PS3 and Xbox360 win, theres no argument there, but they also allow you to continue to sit on your arse. If you have never played the Wii, try it, and then comment instead of just saying it's STUPID because your an Xbox Fanboi. Heck my wife hated video games and now we play every night, lets see any other system do that, make believers out of STAUNCH non-gamers.

  • 23 Posted by acruz742003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I played the wii game with my brother it's good exercise and good for my body

  • 24 Posted by bonzo_ronzan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Link to the 70-year-old patient playing Wii isnt working... oh well, I beleive it anyway.

  • 25 Posted by ajvrocks1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wii really does help you get off your but and really be able to move around! ALl the people I know who actualy play video games don't play any other spot! And when they hear of the Wii they think it is stupid becuse it makes them get up and get moving! All the other game systems do is have children sit on their butts for 5 hours moving their thumbs! The Wii actualy encourages you to get out there and try a sport! You should give it a try!

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.