The physical health benefits of the Nintendo Wii are fairly obvious for all to see, but it’s always nice to know that such an at-home videogame experience is being recognised for its fitness attributes by sources of standing beyond the games industry. Moreover, the International Sports Sciences Association has officially endorsed Nintendo’s latest videogames console as a truly great way to promote metabolic health.

The endorsement came from the ISSA (a teaching institution and certification agency specifically for fitness trainers) after it ran an investigation into the resultant health effects that people experience when playing videogames. The association has claimed that the Nintendo Wii, and also high-activity “exertainment” titles such as Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) provide significantly beneficial effects for their users.

The ISSA’s final report noted that while videogames have long been held responsible for growing obesity levels (particularly in the US) new gaming hardware, technology, and innovations could well be “just what the fitness experts are looking for” in order to prise more activity from their clients by boosting their heart rates and forcing them playfully from their couch potato lifestyles.

Dr. Josh Trout, Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, offered that

“Exertainment and home video consoles are the wave of the future,”

with regard to the videogame technology and exercise movement.

“On that note, exergaming, and exertainment, is an excellent way for getting kids hooked on physical activity, producing good exercise habits that can last their lifetime.”

Further to Dr. Trout’s beliefs, Al Grant, an ISSA-certified fitness trainer (and father of two) claimed:

“I think that any gaming system that gets the users off the couch and moving around has obvious health benefits,”

concerning the Nintendo Wii.

“I saw kids using the Wii in the mall, and they were working up quite a sweat playing the boxing and tennis games.”

And, in terms of the transference potential held by the videogames in inspiring kids/people to actually try real sporting disciplines beyond home console immersion, Grant’s own son was directed to Madden NFL 07 by his coach in order to better learn the game plays he wanted to execute during the upcoming season.

The ISSA’s report showed that its trainers pointed out that Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution delivered the strongest and most beneficial workout available, but they also highly recommended Nintendo’s Wii too. ISSA-certified trainer Nichole Snow enthused that:

“Whether you can sit down for the game or you have to be standing, it involves movement. The best part is its just fun - for everyone,”

regarding the wide appeal and exercise flexibility of the Wii.

“Deconditioned and obese individuals will find it fun to play and gain aerobic movement out of the games. Seniors can enjoy gentle movements of bowling and golfing. Youth become a part of the game and don’t just turn into vegetables in front of the TV. Everyone can burn some calories and learn some good health habits from Nintendo Wii’s fitness, and the system is just too hard to pass up when watching anyone play.”

All-in-all, the ISSA’s report is perhaps nothing that anyone presently enjoying the Wii doesn’t already know, but – as we said – it’s always nice to receive official confirmation for your biased beliefs where calorie burning is concerned.