The Quest for the Perfect ExerGame

I just spent a great day yesterday in sunny Phoenix with Biray Alsac discussing all manner of things including health, exercise, education, technology, social networking, personal training, the fitness industry and of course where “ExerGaming” fits in. She has amazing insight and experience in all these areas and is very much a trailblazer. To get an idea of what she’s up to, check out her blog Be Fit With Biray.

So what is the social context of “ExerGaming”? Clearly, public perception is very important and we both expressed concern that it does not become institutionalized to point that it no longer appealed to sedentary gamers. Also, when the novelty and excitement of a particular game wears off, then what? Is there a way that technology can be used in a creative and enabling way so that “ExerGamers” can take their play histories with them wherever they go and whatever they play and allow them to progress their activity from one game to another?

I have just been looking at and playing some really neat “ExerGames”. One of the them was based on snowboarding game, where the controller had been modified to incorporate a large skate board. So instead of twiddling your thumbs, you had to move your body from side to side to play the game. I must say that I found it totally immersive in the way that the on screen movements responded to my physical movement.

So what makes an “ExerGame”? Is it the hardware designed to incorporate body movement? Is it the software that makes the game? Is it when the  player steps up and starts playing? Is something more in a fusion of the hardware, software and the player’s movement that brings the “ExerGame” into existence?

Whilst this may seem quite a philosophical question, I think it points towards the essence of what “ExerGaming” is about. What do you think?

On of the appeals of indoor ExerGaming is that it provides a means to be physically active when the weather is inclement or it is dark outside. This occurs quite frequently in Scotland, especially during the winter. However, it never occurred to me that indoor ExerGames might help when it is too hot. I went for a 7:30 am run round downtown Tampa, Florida this morning. Not only was it very hot, it was also very humid. It felt as if I was running in a sauna.

I have been away from the Wii Fit balance board for a week now. It will be wondering way I have got too. Somehow, I don’t think “Just run 45 minutes in a sauna” figures in any of the choices if your weight drops overnight by several pounds.