While kids seem to be becoming more and more invested in technology these days, what if there was an opportunity for them to exercise while also enjoying their favorite video game? Instead of restricting their television or video game time, what if you could use them as a method to promote a healthy life style? Recent studies have shown that active video game consoles can improve the fitness of typically developing children. Until recently, little information was known about the benefits of these games on children with conditions such as cerebral palsy.

There was a recent study in the pediatric physical therapy journal that compared the exercise intensity of children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and children who were typically developing while playing an active video game. Ten children with spastic dyplegia and ten typically developing children participated in the study. They were asked to complete four games on the Wii Fit: skiing, jogging, snowboarding and bicycling for 10 minutes each, with a 5 minute rest period between each game. The child's heart rate was recorded and was used to determine the exercise intensity level throughout each game.

The results of the study show that there were no significant differences between the typically developing children and those with spastic dyplegia cerebral palsy. The jogging and bicycling games appeared to generate greater exercise intensities than the other two games. This suggests that children with cerebral palsy could obtain similar cardiovascular benefits from participating in active video gaming in comparison to those children who are typically developing.

Take Home Message: Active video gaming has been shown to have cardiovascular benefits for both children who are typically developing as well as those with spastic dyplegia cerebral palsy. While research is limited with regards to other medical diagnoses, use of the Wii or other active gaming console may provide children with an opportunity to engage in a preferred leisure activity while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.